Vísion – Alma Libre Quintet
Released in December 2021
Ovation Records
Review by:
Walter Baez aka DJ Walter B Nice
CEO NewGenSalsa Entertainment LLC
Oscar Hernandez who is a master Pianist/arranger/producer who for 40 years has continued to inspire musicians with his musical talent. He is an amazing musical genius who is a 4X Grammy winner. He has recently released his latest Latin Jazz production entitled “Vísion” (View) with his Alma Libre Quintet. This production took me on a musical journey Wow! What a ride I experienced.
Oscar, belongs to a select group of respected and highly admired Latin American artists, which include musical creators and innovators. These are his other Latin Jazz productions “The Art of Latin Jazz” (2017 “Love the Moment” (2019), “) both were recorded with the Alma Libre Quintet and the Grammy winning production with the Spanish Harlem Orchestra “The Latin Jazz Project” (2020). All 4 productions are a must add to your Latin Jazz collection.
I couldn’t wait to listen to this new CD. I got a glass of my favorite Scotch sat down and prepared myself for this musical journey Oscar Hernandez was about to take me on.
As always, Oscar as with all his music he did not disappoint. It was what I’ve come to expect from him and then some. I’ve come to realize whether it be Salsa or Latin Jazz he excels and has proven that he has mastered both genres.
Song Synopsis:
1. “Visíon” which started me off on Oscar’s Musical Journey Featuring Aaron Janik on Trumpet and Luisito Quintero on Timbales
2. “Ritmo Pa’ Ti” This is the song I added for your listening pleasure. Which features Aaron Janik on Trumpet and Luisito Quintero on Timbales. I’m sure that you will enjoy it as much as I did.
3.“Doña Provi” is a special tribute to Oscar Hernandez’s mother (Maria Providencia Blanca Hernandez). It starts off with a soft mellow intro and then breaks into a Cuban Danzon rhythm.
4.“Chick Forever” This is Oscar’s tribute to the legend “Armando Anthony “Chick” Corea” Featuring Aaron Janik on Trumpet.
5. “Make the Move” starts off with a Brass Intro which right away captures your attention and goes into a piano solo by Oscar and also features’ a Sax solo by Justo Almario and a Conga solo by Luisito Quintero. This is one hot tune.
6. “Tributo All Son” This just makes you want to get up and dance and features a hot Flute solo by Justo Almario as well as Luisito Quintero on Bongos.
7.“Don’t Stop Now” Features Justo Almario on the Sax as well as Jimmy Branly on the Drums
8. “Spring” Featuring Joe Locke on the Vibes. As I listen to Joe what came to mind is vintage Cal Tjader sessions Uff!
9 “So Believe It” which features Luisito Quintero and Christian Moraga on the Congas.
10 “Virtually Here” This song has a sick arrangement. By the way I can’t forget to mention Oskar Cartaya on the bass who carries the timing for the Quintet and who’s contemporary forms, fuse the backbeat with the clave.
In closing I just want to say that this Latin Jazz production “Vísion” is one of the best I’ve heard this past year and without a doubt will be Oscar Hernandez’s 7th Oscar Nomination. Te La Comiste Papa! Bro, you put together a group of top-notch musicians that helped you accomplish your journey. Like they say “You’re only as good as the people you lead”.
Thank you, Oscar, for taking the time to take my calls and being a down to earth human being. Hasta la proxima hermano…I can’t wait.
You can purchase the CD and/or Digital tracks via this link:
Quoted from a Wikipedia,
“Latin jazz came to prominence as a musical genre in the 1940s, when Afro-Cuban musicians in Spanish Harlem began to collaborate with African American jazz musicians.