Rumba

♫ Five of the world’s best flamenco musicians are featured on this album. Andres Fernandez Amador opens the album by performing modern flamenco in the style of Paco de Lucia, Pata Negra, and the Gipsy Kings. As a Gypsy from Spain, he has flamenco in his blood, and it shows through these passionate performances. Rafa El Tachuela explores flamenco’s elements of jazz and their musical connection with ancient Arab culture. The late Manuel Lopez-Ruiz, also known as El Chachi, is a renowned flamenco guitarist and some of his rare recordings are heard here. Founded in 1990, Spanish Gypsy features several renowned musicians including Juan Plazuelo and Pedro Palomo. Rounding out the lineup is Grupo Macarena, which was founded in 1997 and consists of a varying number of talented musicians ♫

The Fort Apache band is a jazz and Latin quintet rooted in the Newyorican experience, but always absorbing new developments. It has been several years since their last CD "Rhumba Para Monk" was released, and their new album picks up where they left off, this time presenting Latin arrangements of legandary drummer Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers signature songs.