Ricano (Ropeadope Records)
Jonathan Suazo
Released August 4, 2023
New York Times Best Jazz Albums of 2023
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mx-tgHg_s__HyMHLVpxhsNO1_U-9GqJ40
Spotify:
About:
RICANO is an Afro-Caribbean experience that presents themes of exploration, fusion, integration, community, and self-acceptance. This project is about sharing and celebrating the coexistence of Afro Puerto Rican and Afro Dominican styles of music by bringing the audience into a cross cultural fusion container of my roots and my many musical influences. Both of these traditions are beautiful in every way, they contain uplifting chants, captivating lyrics, as well as dance and improvisational elements that are deeply connected to the unique ancestry of each island (Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic). This album represents a transformational chapter in my life. It opens a new door that I’m sure will span many incarnations. The process of searching, embracing, loving, celebrating and sharing all of what we are as multidimensional beings is something I can’t recommend enough… It’s given me a huge source of inspiration. I hope these sounds resonate with you.
Track Listing:
1. ¡Somos más que tú! (Jonathan Suazo) 07:29
2. Héroes (Jonathan Suazo) 06:57
3. Esperanza pa’ mi Pueblo (Jonathan Suazo) 06:43
4. Verde Luz (Antonio Cabán Vale) 08:46
5. AFRO DOMI (Jonathan Suazo) 04:37
6. Don’t Take Kindly (Jonathan Suazo) 06:11
7. Ser de Aquí (Jonathan Suazo) 03:42
8. Seguimos Luchando (Jonathan Suazo) 07:36
9. Dharma (Jonathan Suazo) 08:30
10. Amapola (Juan Luis Guerra) 04:38
Personnel:
Jonathan Suazo: alto sax, tenor sax (5), vocals (1, 2, 7)
Ramon Suazo: tenor sax (1)
Miguel Zenón: alto sax (5)
David Sánchez: tenor sax (8)
Fabiola Méndez: vocals, cuatro puertorriqueño (7)
Christian Nieves: cuatro puertorriqueño (3)
Emil Martínez Roldán “El Hijo de Borikén”: soneo (1)
Eduardo Zayaz: piano, keyboard (1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Anibal Cruz: piano, keyboard (2, 3)
Josean Jacobo: piano
Francisco Alcalá: drums (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9)
Tanicha López: voice (1, 2, 3, 5, 7), vocal arrangement oversight (9)
Génesis Dávila: voice (1, 2, 5, 9)
Giovanni Ortíz: bass (1, 2, 7, 8, 9), percussion sound design (10)
Hans Glawischnig: bass (5)
Ricky Rodriguez: bass (6)
Ramon Vázquez: bass (4)
Juan Maldonado: bass (3)
Rafael Rosa: guitar (9)
Gabriel Vicéns: guitar (8)
Juan Aldahondo: electric / acoustic guitar (2, 10)
Kike Serrano: Co: afro puerto rican percussion (1, 3, 6, 8, 9)
Beto Torrens: afro puerto rican percussion (9)
Miguel Martínez: güícharo puertorriqueño (1), afro puerto rican Percussion (7)
Yilianny Polanco: güira dominicana (1)
Otoniel Nicolás: afro dominican percussion (2, 6, 8, 10), drums (5)
Florentino “Magic” Mejía: afro dominican percussion (5)
Felix “Abuelo” García: tambora dominicana (5)
Amaury Febres, Miosotis Alvarado, Yitzhak Cruz, Tanicha Lopez, Jonathan Suazo: supporting BG vocals (1, 2)
Recorded at El Padrino Recording Studio, Puerto Rico by Julio González (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9); Allangtr Studi, República Dominicana by Alan Leschhorn (5); JM Studio Productions, Boston MA by Juan Maldonado (7); Pasillo Sonoro, Puerto Rico by Jonathan Suazo (5)
Mixing Engineers: Danilo Pichardo (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9), Jonathan Suazo (10)
Mastering Engineer: Michele Papa from MS Studio New York
Sound Design: Tiffany Román (8, 9), Giovanni Ortíz SD on Afro Dominican Percussion (10), Jonathan Suazo Sound (10)
Graphic Design: Alberto Cardona, Humberto Torres from Pitirre Studios
Photography: Gina Principe
Review:
The Boston-based saxophonist and composer Jonathan Suazo is compelled equally by Kenny Garrett’s soul-bop and Miguel Zenón’s Puerto Rican jazz hybrids. On “Ricano,” he leads a steel-toed Latin orchestra replete with hefty vocals, a forceful horn section and, over the course of the album, no fewer than seven percussionists playing Dominican and Puerto Rican instruments.
Giovanni Russonello (New York Times)
