Can't say enough good things about Folklore Urbano...

O.K., so I'm not the world's best blogger. I'm too busy and too unfocused for this kind of writing, but enough of you still stop by here that it's worth pointing out to you some brand new reviews of Folklore Urbano that just appeared at Descarga.com.

Pablo Mayor Y Folklore Urbano
Aviso
CD (Chonta Records) 2003
The first volume of a two cd series that might just go down as a classic in 20 or 30 years. A synthesis of a bunch of Colombian rhythms and jazz improvisation — Andy Gonzalez is on bass — it all sounds honest. In part this is due to Mayor’s piano playing. He’s calm, and a real improviser; he’s not flashing lines, but playing melodies and rhythms. There are a few horns to play the melodies, plus three Colombian percussionists; it’s recorded beautifully. There are elements of Cuban music in some montunos, but it has that caballo sway of Colombian music. Because of its clarity, and simplicity, the music can be listened to over and over. It’s real.
Highly Recommended. (Peter Watrous, 06-Mar-06)
Category: Latin Jazz => Latin Jazz
ORDER TL-21632.10 CD $16.98 Add to My Shopping Cart

Pablo Mayor Y Folklore Urbano
Baile/ Dance
CD (Chonta Records) 2005
The dance, and second volume of the highly ambitious two cd series by the pianist Pablo Mayor. This one has faster rhythms, vocalists, and dance music arrangements. It’s also brilliant music, laid over rhythms from Colombia. There are solos, too, and Mayor nods in the direction of Herbie Hancock among others. The percussion rhythm section boils.
Highly Recommended. (Peter Watrous, 06-Mar-06)
Category: Latin Jazz => Latin Jazz
ORDER TL-21631.10 CD $16.98 Add to My Shopping Cart

Isn't this something? Their gig in Brooklyn, at the Brooklyn Museum's First Friday, was unbelievable, and a just over a week ago they introduced their sound to an enthusiastic crowd at Philly's World Cafe Live.

Things at Chonta are going so well. We have a double-release on March 28--Ricardo Gallo and La Cumbiamba eNeYe! They'll be celebrating the release at a show at Makor (92nd St. Y), and we expect people just to love this combo. I'll tell you all about them soon.

But I wanted this blog to be much more than a promo site for Chonta. To that end we're going to be building a blog that will allow musicians from Chonta, La Distritofonica, and more to talk about music and share sounds with each other. That way fans and newcomers will be able to learn about the music and participate in this amazing scene that's going on these days.

But until then, just spread the word on Folklore, O.K.?