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Album Review
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Muzik Fan, Album Review >>
PLENA LIBRE
CORAZON (GNMX 1240)
Plena and bomba are Puerto Rican varieties of salsa, and Plena Libre seem to be the main exponents, having put out at least a dozen albums. Their latest album shows the benefits of constant touring: Plena Libre have a natural flowing energy that gets you going. This new disc is not even 40 minutes long but any more would wear you out. Gary Nuñez, the bassist, is the leader and does a lot of the writing. The addition of synth to the piano seems unnecessary and makes that hovery string-wash/noise which detracts from the cleanness of the sound. There are four singers who also play hand drums, a conguero (the excellent Gaddy Vargas), and timbalero, as well as three horn men on trombones. There's also another hand drum called pandero requinto. By the middle of the album the synth drops away and Carlos Garcia the pianist fires up on "Que es la vida" and "Hable cuembe." The later has a weird key change every fifth note in the chorus which sounds like the record is out of round, but since you can tell it's intentional it doesn't sound wrong, just strange. Showboating or an attempt to keep the band on their toes. A great trombone solo redeems it. Things continue to heat up with "Huracán" by singer Kalie Villaneuva. If you like driving salsa you'll definitely want to check this out. 02/01/13 >> go there
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