Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » The Empresarios: The Vibes
The Empresarios: The Vibes
ByTheir third studio album, The Vibes is no exception. The opening "No Vamos A Parar" seems to come into your ears from every directiona hip-hop beat, a funk bass line, a rapped vocal, reggae organ, and tropical horns that blow the feeling of warm sunshine over all. The title track sounds strong and mighty, with reggae horns and organs setting the hot stage for Miami-based Columbian rapper Ephniko Barba Less | DJ Waggy Tee and others to roast and toast on.
Featuring the Salsaley Orchestra, "Salsoul" slips into a measured yet slippery "low rider" Latin funk groove that pops with percussion, while scorching trombone and trumpet solos keep the Latin big-band tradition warm. "Encanto" is a love song written for the band's motherland, but it's hardly a balladthe percussion and rappers keep the beat popping while a lusty trombone solo fans its tropical island flame.
The Empresarios turn their musical vision further south, to the sunny reggae and dancehall sounds of the Caribbean, for this set's last two tunes, the dubby instrumentals "Rootsy Jam" and "Alegria," which creeps along on swirling organ and percussion.
The Vibes was composed by Empresarios guitarist Paul Chaconas, and sunnily follows up El Sonido Magico (2013, Fort Knox Records), which climbed all the way to the top of the CMJ world music chart.
Track Listing
No Vamos A Parar; Morena; A Fuego Lento; The Vibes; Encanto; Pá La Calle; Salsoul; Placeres; Rootsy Jam; Alegria.
Personnel
Javier Miranda: percussion; Frankie Rosado: vocals; Felix Perez: vocals; Paul Chaconas: guitar, melodica, bass, keyboards, programming; Anthony Gary: drums; John Bowen: effects; Sonny Cheeba: DJ, production; Arsam Khosh: DJ, production; Percy Recavarren: trombone; Marco Alzamore: trumpet, vocals; David Boborquez: vocals.
Album information
Title: The Vibes | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Self Produced