Rumbeca Music
Contact: Manolo Santana
E-mail: manolosantana@yahoo.com
ÒA
world-class pianist, composer and authorÓ ~ Latin Beat
"One
of the hippest band-leaders in Latin music today" ~ All Music Guide
ÒFiery Ð
One of San FranciscoÕs best pianist/arrangersÓ ~ Utne Reader
ÒVisceral,
tumbao-style pianoÓ ~ Billboard
"Maule—n
is a monster musician with enormous talent to spare" ~ Latin Beat
ÒA
talented performerÓ ~ Phillip Elwood, S.F. Examiner
ÒThe
next big thing in Bay Area Latin JazzÓ ~ East Bay Express
ÒAn
outstanding performer, composer and arrangerÓ ~ L.A. Jazz Scene
ÒA wonderful
technician with a sparkling approachÓ ~ Express
"Damn,
this is good. Maule—n, the author of the classic instruction book The Salsa
Guidebook, has put on a show on how to make a modern descarga record. SheÕs backed by the best of the West Coast
Latin scene, including icons like Armando Peraza and Orestes Vilat—, along with
Giovanni Hidalgo and the Cuban drummer Jimmy Branly. Maule—n makes it all work,
supplying tumbaos that drip with
sudden, unexpected modern harmonies, and changing the dynamics of the tunes,
dropping the volume of her piano, and laying out at times. SheÕll add horn
punches with two-handed chords, then move back into the tumbaos; it makes the whole thing sound improvised, but
full, and thoughtful Ð sheÕs listening, orchestrating on the spot. Hidalgo
sounds great - listen to him on the opening track - and Francisco Torres, the
trombonist, etches out some relaxed, expressive improvisations. This is a
classic descarga, epic at times,
open, modern and loose. ItÕs also well recorded. Highly Recommended.Ó
Peter
Watrous, May 20, 2006, Descarga.com.
"Descarga
en California offers the best of both worlds. The music is familiar, like home,
and yet the performances are so daring that one can't help but feel that they
are hearing comparsa for the
first time. Though the disc is noticeably void of piano solos, which seems
strange at first, Maule—n certainly makes her presence known. She has a swing
and grace to her style that is unmistakable, the spine of the band.
Percussionists Armando Peraza, Orestes Vilat— and Giovanni Hidalgo supply more
than enough mind bending, time shifting solo phrases to make up for the lack of
showing off on the part of the band leader. With an unmistakably West Coast
taste for backbeat, the priority of every tune is the pocket, an unwavering
groove, cut deep by Cuban drummer Jimmy Branly. Every single tune twists and
winds it's way to top-of-the-lungs coro-shouting intensity before fading out,
in true descarga style. The
arrangements are smart and tasty, with the confident touch of an artist who has
nothing to prove, just wanting to make truly good music. The soloists, on the
other hand, play with reckless abandon, like they have nothing to lose. It is
exactly her ability to find this balance that distinguishes Maule—n as one of
the hippest band-leaders in Latin music today. Latin music fans can only hope
that there's a lot more where Descarga en California came from."
Reviews
of RebecaÕs previous Latin Fire release ~
"One
of San Francisco's finest, pianist Rebeca Maule—n, just released Latin Fire, with a superb percussion section that includes Giovanni
Hidalgo and Jimmy Branly. Check out the tracks ÔA La Rumba, ÔBatamambo,Õ ÔLa
Ventana,Õ ÔCuBrazilÕ and ÔPa'lanteÕ to experience what many have known for
years -- Maule—n is a monster musician with enormous talent to spare."
"Rarely
has the well-worn phrase 'Latin fire' been so appropriate. From the get go,
this oneÕs on fire alright and itÕs a result of fine tuned compositions,
tightly edited arrangements, an amazing sense of pacing, and top echelon Latin
musicianship. With Latin Fire, Rebeca Maule—n is looking at a Latin Grammy or
somethingÕs wrong. She has
combined one of the slickest, trickiest ensemble performances in years with
radio friendly material that transcends mediocre popÉ From the opener,
"Batamambo", an up tempo grabber in which, yes, there is a strong
mambo section and a lurking bata drum, sometimes rearing up in the sub woofer,
it is clear that these musicians are having fun. RebecaÕs piano lays down a
percolating groove that lurches into an up tempo Latin jazz. Such probing and
interesting piano! Such high energy scatting trumpet! Such intricate yet
ultimately anchoring conga chops - even the cowbell parts are worthy of
examination! Long before the trumpet solo, we know we are the presence of
greatnessÉ.Rebeca MauleonÕs Latin Fire is truly one of the strongest Latin CDs out there, judged in terms of
concept, arrangements, execution, recording quality, and, not least, the
excitement factor. Highly recommended."
ÒFrom the first notes of Latin
Fire, it's clear that the title is accurate.
These days the words ÔLatin fireÕ are way over-used, applied to anything with
an Afro-Cuban beat and exotic percussion. But much of it is too soggy to catch
fire. Maule—n's music, in contrast, has that special snap and passion that
signals the best of Latin musicÑas well as the best of music in general, now
that I think of it.Ó