Alex García

 

Por Luc Delannoy.

 

"El ritmo salvará el mundo! Si no lo creen, escuchen a AfroMantra, una de las mejores bandas de jazz latino en la escena de Nueva York. Punto! Este segundo álbum de AfroMantra, Alignment, tiene una característica muy especial para producir cambios y colores con sus composiciones, desafiando la fuerza de gravedad en todas sus formas. Liderado por el baterista Chileno, Alex García, esta poderosa banda con una unidad casi mística, mezcla el post-bop bop con ritmos afro-cubanos y latinoamericanos con el Jazz. Le llevó a García visión, compromiso y varios años de trabajo duro para desarrollar el propio sonido de AfroMantra y ahora cierra con broche de oro con este disco simplemente brillante. Los músicos son exuberantes y generosos, siempre están donde la música está. Aquellos que sienten que han pasado demasiado tiempo en la provincia del aburrimiento musical, estarán encantados y cautivados por Alignment, con su material coherente, sus intrincadas figuras rítmicas e inspiradoras armonías.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CD Alignment

 

By Ashley Chappell.

 

AfroMantra represents what American popular music is quickly becoming - an interesting fusion of many varied musical heritages, most notably African and Latin heritages and their refreshing instrumentation and sound. Like other experimental jazz groups, such as the Turtle Island String Quartet with Afro-Cuban clarinetist Paquito D’Rivera, AfroMantra improvises liberally and marries instruments that the novice listener might not expect to complement each other as well as they do on Alignment. For example, the saxophone and piano banter on “Blues Cha” with the Latin percussionist keeping time in back. He figures more prominently later on “Transparencias,” influenced by the música of Chilean and Peruvian cultures. This track is particularly intense because of its unique pacing - although the melodic voice that flutters into the rhythm occasionally is light and crisp, Enrique Hanine’s piano rises and falls breathlessly and Alex García’s drum solo is lively and brisk. AfroMantra also includes their rendition of Sammy Fain and Paul-Francis Webster’s classic, “Secret Love.” I had previously only been treated to Frank Sinatra’s soulful expression of this tune, and I’m so glad now that I’ve heard AfroMantra’s take. The “song” as it were takes about a minute-and-a-half to fully develop into what audience’s recognize as “Secret Love” - Haneine’s piano once again tumbles down an abstract staircase and leaves the listener feeling a bit melancholic. What lifts the spirits again is Toshi Somey’s incredible bass - its vibrations are felt as AfroMantra’s improvisational talents explode near song’s end. The group nearly bookends its rendition by slowing its pace only slightly with another minute remaining. That’s what makes jazz music so fun and exceptional - the great jazz musician will improvise the hell out of his instrument, build alongside his fellow musician’s instrument and at rhythm’s peak tease you by reintroducing the hook you’re most familiar with. The musicians in AfroMantra are some of the greats, and Alignment is a beautiful, funky mix of characteristic jazz with a new and welcomed Latin flavor. With this one, expect the unexpected, and revel in what you get.