The Magician (Savant Records Inc)
Sammy Figueroa and His Latin Jazz Explosion
Released March 13, 2007
Grammy Nominee for Best Latin Jazz Album 2008
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kXRqDNHKHdaHGIFxZMo7l6T0Y-sf7rRcY
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/5MEK8XOhLBxOJeZ8jlnUYf?si=Rm7gJtFDRdudKzxQzt78pQ
About:
After receiving a Grammy nomination for their first Savant album “…And Sammy Walked In” (SCD 2066), percussion master Sammy Figueroa and the Latin Jazz Explosion returned to the studio to create “The Magician”, an album featuring Sammy’s musical sorcery on the congas, accompanied by Mike and Nicky Orta on piano and bass, Alex Norris on trumpet and the extraordinary drummer Ludwig Alfonso. This is Latin jazz at its very best, with Sammy casting his magic spells with a combination of unparalleled virtuosity and sense of celebration. Fans of Sammy’s first album will love this album and for new fans “The Magician” will serve as a great introduction to one of the music world’s most exciting wizards.
Track Listing:
1. Together 3:34
2. The Three Marias (Gabriel Vivas) 6:47
3. The Magician 5:47
4. Firm Roots 8:10
5. Crossroads 5:25
6. Seven Steps to Heaven 6:09
7. Fiestas do Norte (Gabriel Vivas) 5:28
8. Healing Man (Gabriel Vivas) 6:33
9. Gregory Is Here 7:04
Personnel:
Sammy Figueroa: percussion
John Michalak/Troy Roberts: saxophone
Alex Norris/John Lovell: trumpet
Michael Orta/Silvano Monasterios: piano
Nicky Orta/Gabriel Vivas: bass
Ludwig Afonso/Götz Kujack/Nomar Negroni: drums
Recorded at The Hit Factory Criteria, Miami, FL, by Carlos Alvarez, and Afterhours Music, Miami, FL, by Hal Batt
Produced by Rachel Faro and Sammy Figueroa
Additional Production by Silvano Monasterios (tracks 3 & 5), Gaby Vivas (tracks 2, 7 & 8) and Hal Batt (track 1)
Executive-Producers: Johanna Staray, Joe Gianono, Kimberly Chmura, Ralph Alterbaum, Ted Torcivia
Mixed by Hal Batt
Photography/Concept: Gene Martin
Graphic Design: Jason Slomack
Review:
The fact that conguero-percussionist Figueroa has been
so busy for over 30 years performing with numerous top jazz and pop artists may
explain why he did not form his own band-the Latin Jazz Explosion-until 2002,
with encouragement from Ron Weber of South Florida Friends of Jazz and bassist
Don Wilner, the musical director of Miami’s Van Dyke Café. Figueroa is now
among the top locally based South Florida jazz musicians, a list that includes
trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan, pianist Eddie
Higgins and singer-violinist Nicole Yarling.
Figueroa’s first Latin Jazz Explosion CD, And Sammy Walked In, won a Grammy
nomination, and The Magician could do the same. He has assembled an outstanding
band. Tenor saxophonists John Michalak and Troy Roberts are both muscular,
intense and polished players, and Roberts also impresses greatly on soprano.
Trumpeter Alex Norris is consistently excellent throughout, with an impeccable,
rich sound, fertile imagination, and flowing, rhythmically varied delivery.
Michael Orta and Silvano Monasterios split the piano duties, and each is a
technically gifted, stirring soloist. Bassists Nicky Orta and Gabriel Vivas
drive the momentum of the music hard, and Orta is a virtuoso of the electric
bass. The drum chair is shared by Ludwig Afonso, Götz Kujack and Nomar Negroni,
all able players. Figueroa, of course, holds it all together with his exuberant
and tasteful conga work.
The diverse program includes the Miles Davis classic “Seven Steps to Heaven,”
Hubert Laws’ “Together” (as a “jazz boogaloo”), Cedar Walton’s memorable “Firm
Roots,” and Horace Silver’s “Gregory Is Here,” all refreshingly Latinized.
Vivas contributes three well-written tunes, including the Brazilian baihao
“Festas do Norte” (“Celebration From the North”) and the hypnotic “Healing
Man.” Monasterios composed the title tune, an ingratiating cha-cha, as well as
the vibrant and mysterious “Crossroads.”
Scott Albin (JazzTimes)
