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Jazz Fusion ...
... with Cuban pianist Manuel Valera.
It's a piece from the first disc he recorded with his new group Groove Square. Released in 2015, the album is called Urban Landscape (Destiny Records 798576809928), this track's title is Coming Down.
Manuel Valera, keyboards John Ellis, sax Nir Felder, guitar John Benitez, bass E J Strickland, drums
Manuel Valera | In Motion
I recently wrote about Manuel Valera’s Urban Landscape, which featured his funk band. In Motion features his Afro Cuban band, the New Cuban Express, which includes saxophonist Yosvany Terr, guitarist Tom Guarna, trumpeter Alex Sipiagin, bassist Hans Glawischnig, drummer Ludwig Afonso, and perucssionist Mauricio Herrera. The setlist on this one is all Valera originals, with the exception of No Puedo Ser Felix, which was composed by J. A. Mendez. I think I need a bit more experience with this style of music - while I enjoyed it, I have a hard time nailing down exactly what it was I enjoyed about it or what separates it from other Afro-Cuban albums. At any rate, it’s solid.
Manuel Valera | Urban Landscape
Manuel Valera is a guy I’ve been meaning to check out for a while, and I happened to find this at the bookstore the other day. There are a few things that made me want to check him out, and they are: 1, some of his albums have cool artwork (this one is okay. it’s not one of the ones I’m talking about), 2, he’s released music on Criss Cross and MaxJazz, two labels that consistently release high quality music, and 3, he works with some great musicians. This album includes my man John Ellis on tenor sax, for example, and it also features a few guest spots from Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts and Gregoire Maret.
From what I know about Manuel Valera, it seems like he’s one of those guys who is down to try anything. He has straight-ahead albums and Afro-Cuban albums, and he also has this, which is a funk/fusion album. As far as funk/fusion albums go, it’s solid, but not like, super memorable. The band is tight and the compositions have an almost like, new age, Pat Metheny sort of sound to them, but there’s not a whole lot to set this album apart from other jazz funk/fusion albums. It’s certainly not bad by any means - there are some great performances from Valera and Ellis, as well as guitarist Nir Felder. The bassist, John Benitez, consistently uses that style of electric bass that they used in the soundtrack of the TV show Seinfeld. Not that that’s necessarily a good or bad thing, I just kinda... noticed that.
Soundwaves Concert: Manuel Valera & Samuel Torres
Soundwaves Concert: Manuel Valera & Samuel Torres
Manuel Valera & Samuel Torres perform at Ballard Park on Thursday, July 24th at 7:30PM in Soundwaves concert. (Credit: Soundwaves)
Mauel Valera & Samuel Torres @ SOUNDWAVES A community summer concert series on the shores of Lake Champlain Ballard Park, Westport, NY Thursday, July 24th at 7:30PM
Soundwaves is pleased to present the Grammy Nominated Manuel Valera & Samuel Torres in a Duo Concert on…
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In a double bill presenting different visions of Latin jazz in the 21st century, hear Alexis Cuadrado's flamenco-tinged A Lorca Soundscape and Manuel Valera's New Cuban Express in concert from 92Y Tribeca in New York City.
Photos: John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com
