Bembón Roots III (2001)

"The Cuban pianist relocated in 1995 to the San Francisco Bay area, where he recruited his working quintet. But in order to make Bembón, Sosa took his group on the road to Quito, Ecuador. Quito was not necessarily the best choice for music production, from the practical standpointbut it offered total immersion in Ecuadoran culture. As a result, this disc is drenched with the pulse and sway of Esmeraldas and Chota. (As well as Sosa's by-now trademark multicultural blend of Afro-American, -Cuban, and -Caribbean traditions. Jazz merges on Bembón with coros Esmeraldeños, West African polyrhythms, rap, and a variety of other flavors.)" (All About Jazz)