Spanish Harlem Orchestra Anniversary

Spanish Harlem Orchestra
15 Anniversary
Artistshare

The title of the latest recording from the celebrated Latin jazz and salsa band is that it celebrates the Spanish Harlem Orchestra's 15th year. After decades of session work, composing, arranging and producing, bandleader Oscar Hernández was approached by producer Aaron Levinson in 2000 about the idea of assembling and recording a Latin jazz orchestra. The result was "Un Gran Dia en el Barrio," the 2002 debut recording which received a Grammy nomination for Best Salsa Album and a Latin Billboard Award for Salsa Album and led to Hernández and SHO touring and wowing audiences. They have won two Grammy Awards in the years since and continue to dazzle audiences.

Certainly, this latest recording will wow listeners with contributions from all the members of this exciting band (with Randy Brecker a guest on one selection). Unquestionably, the opening "Esa Nena" by vocalist Marco Bermúdez and conga player George Delgado gets this very hot recording off. There is plenty of heat, although at a more relaxed tempo on "Yo Te Prometo," with a volcanic trumpet break and crisp solo while the latin percussion trio of Delgado, Luisito Quintero on timbales and Jorge González provide the hot rhythmic percolation with the vocalists of Bermúdez, Carlos Cascante and Jeremy Bosch do their spirited singing while Mitch Frohman's baritone along with Gerardo 'Jerry' Madera's bass helps anchor the performance along while Hernández is superb whether as part of the rhythm section or his imaginative soloing.

Other tracks to note highlight include a couple from Hernández, "Goza El Ritmo" and "Somos Uno," with the latter features some brilliant Randy Brecker trumpet, as well as a lyrical solo from the leader. One could easily discuss all of the other performances as the Spanish Harlem Orchestra dazzles throughout with their vibrant music that will thrill dancers and listeners on a terrific recording.

I received my copy from Artistshare as a participant. This review appeared in the September-October 2018 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 380) although I have made minor stylistic edits. Here they perform "Somos Uno" live.