Moving effortlessly between straightahead jazz, vibrant Latin grooves, and impressionistic colours, Cuban pianist Alejandro Falcón delivers a record that never feels forced.
The tone is set beautifully by ‘Una Tarde En Puerto Padre,’ where lilting piano lines drift patiently over a supple rhythm section. By way of contrast, ‘Tambores En Colores’ serves up sharper edges as driving percussion pushes the piece forward with real urgency.
Throughout the album which was recorded in Cuba last year, the personnel play with remarkable restraint. Guests beyond the core rhythm section include Jazz at Lincoln Center tenor sax star Ted Nash. Roni Ben-Hur is just as engaging on guitar. A crisp interplay rippling across the ensemble is particularly striking on ‘Ted [Nash?] In Havana’ but the tender ‘Bolero Para Brenda’ slows the pace right down.
Listeners already exposed to Chucho Valdés or Gonzalo Rubalcaba will feel right at home. If Afro-Cuban jazz is going to experience a moment any time soon it seems clear Falcón will be at the heart of its renaissance.