Una Noche Con Ruban Blades

Reviewed: 2018-11-05
Genre: Jazz
FCCs: none
Review: We all knew vocalist Rubén Blades knew his way around the clave, the rhythmic pattern that propels the Afro-Cuban dance music he's known for. Here he proves he can also swing a big band jazz tune with an easy flair. This CD introduces a side of Blades that expands his vocal prowess while acknowledging that jazz and Afro-Cuban music have always been very close cousins.
If You Like: Tito Puente, Mario Bauza, Tony Bennett
Track Review (favorites denoted by *):
1/ spoken introduction
*2/ Ban Ban Quere (6:31) - piano/percussion starts> uptempo jam & song>crescendo end
3/ Too Close For Comfort (5:56) - > uptempo jam & song> quick stop
*4/ El Cantante (8:44) – horns/percussion start> midtempo jam & song> swings uptempo & mellows again> crescendo end
*5/ I can’t Give You Anything But Love (6:41) – full band starts> uptempo jam & song> slow fade
6/ Apoyate En Mi Alma (5:54) – horns start> slow song> slow fade
*7/ Pedro Navaja (8:10) – percussion horns start uptempo, then slows to slow song with solo percussion accompaniment> then swings uptempo with full band> quick stop
8/ Begin The Beguine (7:39) – horns/percussion start> uptempo jam & song> quick stop
*9/ Sin Tu Carino (7:49) – full band stats> uptempo jam & song> slows to fade
10/ Ruben’s Medley: Ligra Elena/ El Numero 6/ Juan Pachanga (12:06) – percussion starts> midtempo jam & song> melody shifts uptempo> melody shift to uptempo song> crescendo end
11/ Patria (6:59) – percussion starts> midtempo jam> fade