Chucho Valdes & The Afro-Cuban Messengers - Border-Free

[peterdubya]

Holy Cow! I love this CD.

I just got it last night, popped it in the player for my commute to work, and it's STELLAR.

I haven't enjoyed a CD this much in a long time. It's the perfect mix of 'Jazz' and 'Afro-Cuban.'

Chucho is such a monster player, for some reason I kept thinking of McCoy Tyner while I listened. He doesn't play like McCoy, but he has the same power in his playing. Big hands, big chords, and yes, plenty of chops too, but in a different way than McCoy plays.

Branford Marsalis is featured on 4 tracks, and Chucho's group is stellar. I can't say enough good about this one!

[Ron Thorne]

I'm not surprised to read your superlatives, Peter. I also love Chucho Valdes and his strong band. I had never made the Chucho/McCoy connection, but can certainly see how you arrived at that comparison.

Thanks for causing me to dig into my wallet once again.