Afro Jack

What does integrity do in the face of adversity / oppression? What does honesty do in the face of lies / deception? What does decency do in the face of insult? How does virtue meet brute force? These four questions posed by the great African American civil rights activist and author W. E. B. Du Bois in his 1903 book The Souls of Black Folk are expounded upon in a speech given by Dr. Cornel West based on his book, Black Prophetic Fire, given October 9, 2014 at Town Hall in Seattle.

Unlike most of Costanzo's other records, Mr. Bongo Plays Hi-Fi Cha Cha is real Cuban music. The vocalists, featured on all twelve tracks, either solo or in tandem, are the true stars. Costanzo's bongos figure high in the mix, of course, but not to the point of severe distraction or camp. Kaskara had performed with Perez Prado and Rene Touzet before joining Costanzo, so there is no question about his credentials. This one cooks. Except for two cheesy-but-delightful, syncopated cha cha chas sung in English ("Jack, Jack, Jack" being a tribute to the master), it sounds more like salsa than cha cha cha. There is a serious, uptempo, monster session beneath the jacket of what looks like just a budget-label trifle.

Massimo Faraò (piano), Nicola Barbon (bass), Roberto "Bobo" Facchinetti (drums) and Ernesttico (percussions), featuring Davide Palladin on jazz guitar. Recorded at Riverside Studio in Torino on December 16th, 2019.
Massimo Faraò is a wonderful Italian pianist who has played and recorded with Red Holloway, Albert "Tootie" Heath, Tony Scott, Franco Ambrosetti, Nat Adderley, Jeff Tain Watts, Jack DeJohnette and Chris Potter, among others. Farao's passionate style and stoic romanticism are very attractive along with the rich harmonies he creates.

Time is Now is like a delightful summer breeze, a refreshing album that recreates with absolute freedom some of the most excel and refined Latin American and classic repertoire. Mario Bauzá made it possible with that characteristic sound, filled of Latin flavour and vigorous radiance that will captivate you from the first track. You won't believe the mesmerizing adaptation of "Mack the Knife", for instance. Don't let this album pass in front of you. Go for it and enjoy it forever.