CD Review: Florencia Gonzalez' 'Between Loves'

Florencia Gonzalez
Between Loves
ZOHO Music

Uruguayan-born and New York resident, Florencia Gonzalez, is a talented composer, performer, instrumentalist, and singer, but showcases her instrumental side on Between Loves. Florencia presents us with a thrilling selection of six original tunes and one cover by Hugo Fattoruso. Florencia plays tenor sax throughout the album, while other musicians play trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone, piano, bass, and drums for s truly South American jazz experience. The musical notes waft between tango, candombe, big band, and Latin jazz styles that are rather laid-back, but full of life. As a Berklee College of Music graduate and New England Conservatory graduate with honors in jazz composition, Florencia knows a thing or two about engaging, historic, and cultural music. The entire album is around forty-minutes in length, but it seems to incorporate a variety of textures and melodies to keep everyone very satisfied. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Alex Conde's 'Descarga For Monk'

Alex Conde
Descarga For Monk
Zoho Music

Alex Conde's piano playing abilities touch on Spanish, flamenco, Caribbean, and jazz genres on his latest work, Descarga For Monk. Alex is joined by Jeff Chambers on bass, Jon Arkin on drums, and John Santos on percussion, along with Amparo Conde and Carmen Carrasco on hand-claps and foot-stomps. The instrumental recording incorporates bubbly piano melodies interspersed with lounge jazz rhythms and light percussion that is classy, timeless, and easy to listen to. The album is aptly-titled, as it celebrates the  music of Thelonious Monk. In fact, all of the compositions are attributed to Thelonious Monk. Alex brings the music alive with edgy pizzazz and brilliant piano tunings that evoke feelings of contentment and happiness with each track. Fans of Latin jazz, Thelonious Monk, piano music, and instrumental works will love Alex Conde's latest venture. ~ Matthew Forss