You might say this is a spicy salsa set, but technically you'd be wrong.  Rather, this is a tribute to Puerto Rico's national rhythm known as plena.  Tellingly, the group's name implies the musicians are "freeing up" the plena style and indeed, that's exactly what they do.  And the very fact that the group plays plena is an expression of Puerto Rican pride.  Traditionally, a plena ensemble included three hand drums, guiro and vocalists.  Over time, accordion was added, then bass and keyboards and horns and just about everything else except the kitchen sink.  The result is a rambunctious brew that is actually the second backbone (along with Cuban son) of salsa New York-style.  Led by founder, composer, arranger and bassist Gary Nuñez, Plena Libre has packaged a fun Latino party mix on ¡Estamos Gozando!, the orchestra’s 10^th release in 10 years.

-Daniel Feist