Track Listing

1. Ritmo Remo
2. Morning
3. Subway Harry
4. Guapacha
5. Darn That Dream
6. Sambroso
7. Willow Weep for Me
8. Afro-Cuban Fantasy
9. Ven Pa Bailar
10. Close Your Eyes
11. I Remember Spring
12. Playboy's Theme

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #122225 in Music
• Released on: 1998-09-29
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

Amazon.com
Noted conguero Poncho Sanchez is back on the scene with another infectious album that extended the legacy of his tenure with Cal Tjader's Orchestra. As the titled suggests, Afro-Cuban Fantasy is a celebration of the various dance rhythms that are now known as Latin jazz. A dynamic player with a penchant for muscular rhythm, Sanchez's arrangements exude the calmer energy that's more associated with West-coast jazz as opposed to the ecstatic frenzy of the New York and Miami scene. The plush orchestra of burnished brass sails elegantly over the rumbling rhythms of congas, timbales, and percussion, resulting in an swooning, enticing affair that simmers more than it sizzles. The regal Dianne Reeves contributes some authoritative vocals on several tracks. She ups the ante of excitement on Clare Fisher's "Morning" and seduces wonderfully on the sensuous, "Darn That Dream." As for the instrumentals, Sanchez keenly demonstrates his versatility as he moves from the party-flavored cha-cha on "Subway Harry" to the sensational samba of "Sambroso." This is a delightful CD that sparkles with the danceable reverie of New York's Palladium Ballroom. --John Murph

From Jazziz
Poncho Sanchez's funky cha-cha "Subway Harry" was written for Harry Sepulveda, proprietor of New York's famed Latin-music outlet, Subway Records. "Harry is my main man in New York City," says the percussionist. "When we're in New York, we check into our rooms and go right to Subway Records. They have a great selection of Latin music, and I end up dropping 300 bucks every time I go there." Sanchez's new album, Afro-Cuban Fantasy (Concord Picante), is a unique addition to the 47-year-old bandleader's own discography, in that three of its tracks feature jazz diva Dianne Reeves.

--- JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Stellar
There's often a big divide between the West coast scene and the East coast when it comes to Latin jazz and, for that matter, salsa. It's strange for me at times because, being Cuban and having family that left when the terrorist Castro took over, I now find myself in Miami with some family in NYC. So, I am fully emersed in the East coast scene now (and have been for over 10 years) and absolutely LOVE it. HOWEVER...I grew up in San Francisco and lived there over 20 years. I grew up with a very healthy dose of Tjader, Baker, Pepper, Getz, Escovedo, the whole Haight street scene that became Ubiquity and Cubop - Matos, Santos, Vasquez, etc. That is still in my blood and courses through my veins to this day and I absolutely love it. So when I hear or read some idiot going off about how some West coast release isn't solid enough or is too laid back or that some East coast release is too firey and brash...it just makes me sick. Life's too short for that kind of mentality and, to be honest, in the end that type of opinion doesn't make a bit of difference. What does make the difference is the beautiful music contained on a release, the spirit it evokes, the community, the magic, and the feelings.
This release, it has it all.

Poncho is amazing to begin with. He always has been. You can get an even better sense of that through not just his music, but his contributions over at Descarga. And with this, we get so much offered to us, you only have to take advantage of it by buying it and listening to it. Once you do, you'll immeditately tap into what Poncho is giving and you'll feel what he's saying. And it's solid and it's amazing, as always. From beginning to end, this cd moves and sends you just like you want to be moved and sent. When I first heard some of it, I thought I was immediately listening to some of my old Fania records...like some long lost cross of Joe Bataan, Eddie Palmieri, Willie Colon and Johnny Pacheco, with Hector Lavoe laying down vocals. It just has that sense of community feel, and that tight of musicianship.

Make no doubt about it, get this release right away. You will not regret it.

Salsa con Huevos
If it wasn't for my little sister's good taste, I'd have never heard this gem. I love Latin jazz, but am often put off by slightly cheesy album covers (not this one) that Poncho and others have offered in the past. I know I shouldn't feel so as it's what's inside that counts. This album is pure ear candy, from Sanchez' driving percussion, to Dianne Reeves' smooth vocals, to the Tower of Power-like funky horn section. Even if you have no rhythm at all, you'll find yourself beating on your knees or your steering wheel and aching to dance! Only the commercial, top-fortyish lyrics of the otherwise infectuous Ven Pa Bailar mar this superb effort by Poncho Sanchez. It's truly salsa con huevos!

Poncho's Best
If you have to pick one Latin jazz CD to buy, it should be this one. From start to finish, it never disappoints. The rhythms, the horns, everything blends together to make some of the most incredible music you ever heard.

And Dianne Reeves' appearance certainly doesn't hurt. On the lush ballad "I Remember Spring," she charms the listener into a contented calm, though "Darn That Dream" doesn't really do much for me. "Morning," a beautiful tune, is one of the best tracks on the CD, just on the strength of Reeves' wild scatting. It's like nothing you've ever heard, like a sort of exotic birdcall. The song keeps building, through Scott Martin's scorching sax solo, through the chorus of "Una mañana" (which you'll find yourself repeating constantly), and until the moment the song fades out.

But the main attraction here is Poncho and his band, and they give you something to keep hitting the "repeat" button for. Standouts are the laid-back "Sambroso" and "Guapacha," Poncho's singing on "Ven Pa Bailar," and the lovely "Willow Weep for Me" cha-cha.

But the three best are "Close Your Eyes," the title track, and "Playboy's Theme." On "Close Your Eyes" (inspired by Cal Tjader's dreamy version with underrated great Jose "Chombo" Silva), Martin (one of the best sax players around by my measure) gets the spotlight and gives a smooth, romantic solo performance. "Afro-Cuban Fantasy" is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. The breezy title track, "Afro-Cuban Fantasy" shows the epitome of the band's cool-salsa West Coast style. (However quiet this song seems, it is VERY loud when performed live!) And the dynamic "Playboy's Theme" is the band at its hot, spicy best! Arranged for them to play at a Playboy anniversary Jazz Festival, this explosive Latin jam gets you right from the beginning. Fantastic solos are everywhere, and you'll keep listening to this one again and again. (It's even more fun if you've heard the original by Cy Coleman, which can be found on Ultra-Lounge Volume 4, Bachelor Pad Royale.)

This is an amazing CD, for either Latin or jazz fans, or both, and a great introduction to Sanchez's stellar band. Don't miss this one!