Roberto Fonseca, Yesun Review
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Roberto Fonseca is a Havana-born composer and pianist that is combining his AfroCuban heritage with musical sounds of the jazz tradition and today’s popular music. Fonseca has been at the forefront of the renaissance in Cuban music, releasing a catalogue of acclaimed solo albums between joining the legendary Buena Vista Social Club, touring with crooner Ibrahim Ferrer, then with singer Omara Portuondo. His 2007 album Zamazu, demonstrated his unique style as a performer and composer. 2012’s Grammy-nominated Yo featured Fatoumata Diawara, the Malian star with whom Fonseca subsequently embarked on an acclaimed live collaboration. Fonseca will release his new album Yesun, through Wagram Music, on October 18, 2019. Yesun is centered around Fonseca’s trio, drummer Raúl Herrera and double bassist Yandy Martínez Rodriguez. The album contains twelve original tracks with special guest American saxophonist Joe Lovano, French-Lebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf, Cuban rapper/singer Danay Suarez and bolero diva Mercedes Cortés. “Yesun is the album I’ve always wanted to make,” says Fonseca of a record that combines everything from jazz and classical music to rap, funk, reggaeton and electronica. “All my influences are here. All the sounds and vibes that make me who I am.”
Positives:
The compositions present a varied sound from song to song and the guest artist are excellent.
Bottom Line:
Yesun combines Fonseca’s strong AfroCuban rhythmic sense with many styles to produce a musical statement that is powerful and imaginative. “I am presenting a Cuba without borders,” says Fonseca. “I’m building bridges between my AfroCuban roots and other styles of music and doing some of the things I love doing live.” “La llamada” (‘The Call’), finds Fonseca playing with purpose and direction. His solo is energetic, but always focused on telling a story. The composition is well-written with interesting tempo changes and the outstanding all female vocal quartet, Gema 4. Gema 4 is always a treat to hear and combined with Fonseca’s musical vision, this is a standout track. “Motown” is a track that is presented by the trio. Here the interaction between the three musicians is remarkable. This is the spirit of jazz and AfroCuban in a celebration of spirits through music. “Aggua” is filled with all passion and rhythmic drive that makes Latin Jazz so popular and alluring. Fonseca’s seamless flow between tradition and forward leaning sounds is impressive. Yesun is an album that has interesting compositions with nimble virtuosic playing from start to finish. AfroCuban music with passion and purpose, that’s the short of it!