JOAQUIN NÚÑEZ & HABANA SAFARI

RUTA DE LA CLAVE

Lulaworld Records

Joaquin Núñez, drums/percussion/vocals; Dayramir González, piano/keyboards/vocals; Marta Elena & Joanna Majoko, lead vocals; Roberto Riveron & Paco Luviano, bass; Alexander Brown, trumpet/flugelhorn; Jeff King, tenor saxophone; Luis Deniz, alto saxophone; Bill McBirnie, flute; Colleen Allen, clarinet; Esteban Vargas, violin/viola; Dyalis Núñez-Machado, background vocals; Mark Daniels, sound effects.

Grab your dancing shoes!  Here is an album that is rhythmically infectious. This music celebrates the brilliance and talent of a Juno-award winning, Cuban-Canadian, percussionist and composer. He is Joaquin Núñez. His debut album with Habana Safari traces the evolution of Cuban music through its heartbeat: the clave.

The Núñez album is meant to make a statement by showing a reinvention of Afro-Cuban jazz featuring the dynamic talents of Joaquin Núñez on drums, clave, and all percussion instruments. He joins New York-based composer and pianist, Dayramir González to show the important dynamics of the Clave in Cuban music.  Thus, the album title “Ruta de la Clave” (The route of the Clave).

In 2007, Joaquin Nunez formed the authentic Cuban music group he calls “Habana Safari.”  This ensemble includes some of the greatest Cuban musicians in Toronto, Canada. They open with a Dayramir González composition called “Afrocubanos.”  González has composed or co-written with Nunez all the music on this album release. The song is robust, rhythmic and full of danceable energy.

They follow this with “Mi Changüi,” another invigorating González composition, this time adding background voices to the mix. His original music is rooted in tradition, but also has a modern sophistication.  The band blends harmonic and folkloric rhythms with the improvisational complexity of New York City jazz.  “Ruta De La Clave” bridges continents, cultures and centuries.

All the songs are well-written and played with maximum talent and energy.  The title tune blends voices, rhythms and excitement that mirrors the African influence brought to Cuba many years ago.  The chanting vocals are hypnotic. A song called “Danzon Sin Tumbao” shows off European classical influence, with the clave heartbeat keeping the rhythm brisk and upfront in the arrangement. But I find “Rumba De Solar” more to my liking. It pulls the glue from stationary feet and makes me want to rumba across my listening room. The rich harmonies of Alexander Brown on trumpet and Jeff King on Tenor saxophone spur the music ahead in a sweet way.

Tracks like “Una Guajira” tell the story of a Cuban country girl who becomes transformed when she hears a jazzy piano, trumpet and saxophone on the streets of New York. Each song becomes a musical chapter from the pen of Dayramir Gonzalez. Núñez has collaborated with him on writing this tune.  All in all, this album is just pure fun!

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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