![Hilario Duran - Contumbao - [CD]](http://shopmusic247.com/cdn/shop/files/CONTUMBAO_wirw3e_medium.jpg?v=1772868592)
Track List:
1 Contumbao
2 Guajira 2016
3 Pil¢N Influenciado
4 Recuerdos
5 Papiosco's Match
6 El Tahonero
7 Los Mu¤Ecos
8 Parque 527
9 Segundo Encuentro
10 Duo Influenciado (Feat. Chucho Valdés)
11 Rumba de Caj¢N (Leke-Leke)
12 Danz¢N Farewell (Danz¢N de la Partida)
![Hilario Duran - Contumbao - [CD]](http://shopmusic247.com/cdn/shop/files/CONTUMBAO_wirw3e_1200x.jpg?v=1772868592)
Description
xHilario Duran makes a triumphant musical homecoming on his new album Contumbao. Internationally recognised as a jazz pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader of the highest order, the Cuban-Canadian Duran has been based in Toronto for the past two decades, but his musical heart and soul have remained closely connected to the land of his birth. Last November, Cardinali and award-winning engineer John 'Beetle' Bailey set up shop in Havana's famed EGREM recording studio, the most storied such facility on the island. This is where the young Duran had recorded hundreds of sessions as a pianist, arranger, composer and musical director, both with other artists and with his star Cuban band Perspectiva, in the '80s. "The studio has not changed since then," he says. "The vibe of the room is the most important thing and it still sounds great." An all-star cast was assembled, and Contumbao was recorded in a 10-day period Hilario describes as "very intense. There was a lot of energy at the sessions." Adding evocative and compelling musical accompaniment to Duran's fluent and expressive piano playing and compositions were guitarist (and Perspectiva bandmate) "Chicoy", bassists Jorge Reyes and Roberto Riveron, drummer Horacio "El Negro" Herndandez, "Papiosco" (congas), Pancho Amat (tres), "Changuito" (timbales), rising star Brenda Navarette (Bat? and guest vocals on "Recuerdos"), and Rumberos de Cuba on two tracks. Cuban piano great Chucho Valdes makes a special guest appearance, teaming with Hilario for a thrilling piano duet on "Duo Influenciado." "I was so pleased to record with Chucho, as he was one of my biggest influences." The admiration is mutual, as Valdes recruited Hilario to arrange and compose for his band, and the pair recently performed shows in Europe featuring two pianos and an orchestra. "My musical concept with this album was to try to reach a wider audience. It is an album that can get people dancing, while those who like sophisticated music can enjoy it too." REVIEW ''Hilario Dur?n is an unparalleled pianist, as well as being a composer and arranger of the first order... one of the greatest pianists of this 20th Century.'' --Chucho Vald?s, Pianist''Hilario Dur?n is about the hottest pianist in any given genre, straddling jazz and Latin music, but sporting brilliance reserved for the Glenn Goulds, Eddie Palmieris, McCoy Tyners, or Oscar Petersons of this mortal world.....'' Michael G. Nastos --AllMusic ReviewChucho Vald?s said of Hilario Dur?n that he was one of the greatest Cuban pianists of the 20th century, nothing less. Coming from the mouth of Vald?s, himself nicknamed the Cuban Mozart of the piano, this compliment must be resolutely taken seriously. Let's add to this that Dur?n shared the stage of musicians of the caliber of Michel Legrand and Dizzy Gillespie, in addition to having led the Cuban trumpet orchestra Arturo Sandoval for nine years, and we know that we are dealing with a composer and a pianist of great caliber. Having settled in Toronto since 1998 has not changed the Cuban musical fervor of this original Havanese. He was recognized as one of the 10 most influential Latin Canadian musicians in 2009, and listening to his latest album, Contumbao, which could be translated freely by ''with this indescribably sexy African swing'', it is easy to understand why Dur?n is an authority on the matter. Of course, the rhythms are warm and inviting to sway, but there is more: this a priori serves as a front for a musical approach resolutely focused on a complex structure that, far from being surly, invites rather to the daydream. This structure, composed of long musical phrases embellished sometimes with finer and aerial improvisations, sometimes with a rhythm that evokes the sound of steps of a hundred dancers in unison, allows the music to take flight. As if the orchestra was playing in a room without a ceiling and we were given to hear the notes in the distance. Speaking of the orchestra, I would be remiss if I did not underline the excellent work of Jorge Lu?s Torres at the congas and Horacio Hernandez on drums, who know how to give body to the ensemble. On the guitar, we hear a Jorge Luis Vald?s rather aerial (I told you about these notes that fly away), while Jorge Reyes and Roberto Riveron share the work on bass. And, of course, the great Chucho Vald?s himself for this Duo Influenciado as refreshing as a rain on a hot and humid day. Listen to it when it's hot, or when you want to remember the summer! --Cbc Quebec
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