Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra: 40 Acres and a Burro

Arturo O'Farrill won a Grammy Award in 2009 for his album Song For Chico, a disc of Latin jazz. His new release 40 Acres and a Burro continues that tradition with another exercise in Latin jazz and a good one it is. On the album O'Farrill includes two originals and numerous cover songs that encompasses the music of the Caribbean and South America. There are many players on the album including guest musician Paquito D'Rivera on clarinet and a massive thirteen piece orchestra.

The album opening song "Rumba Urbana" is a horn inundated ditty with an infectious Latin groove. "A Wise Latina" is an O'Farrill original featuring African style tribal percussion and drumming whereas "Almendra" has an impressive trumpet solo and subtle flourishes of piano. "Um A Zero" is a lighter track with a great melody and the excellent clarinet of Paquito D'Rivera. For more horn drenched melodies and a mixture of delicate guitar and heavy bass sounds check out the engaging "El Sur" or for something a little more melancholic "She Moves Through The Fair" featuring Heather Martin Bixler's touching violin work should do the trick.

For those who appreciate Latin jazz 40 Acres and a Burro should satisfy your craving quite nicely. It's a solid offering filled with plenty of melodies and excellent musicianship that will definitely lift your spirits if you let it. Released on Zoho Music.

Track Listing:
1. Rumba Urbana (6:23)
2. A Wise Latina (6:49)
3. Almendra (5:22)
4. Um A Zero (4:59)
5. El Sur (8:46)
6. She Moves Through The Fair (6:51)
7. Ruminaciones Sobre Cuba (4:54)
8. Tanguango (6:39)
9. Bebê (7:31)
10. A Night In Tunisia (4:10)
11. 40 Acres And A Burro (6:25)

Added: March 6th 2011
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 3291
Language: english

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