"This is one of those good old-fashioned power-laden big-band albums that begs the listener to crank up the volume and let 'er rip. Great songs and wonderful charts, essentially in a buoyant Latin groove, played to a fare-thee-well by Germany's superlative WDR Big Band, with electifying solos by Paquito D'Rivera, Claudio Roditi, other guest artists and members of the ensemble". (Jack Bowers, allaboutjazz).
"Diego Urcola is no stranger to the limelight, or the practice room, for that matter. His long stint with Paquito d'Rivera's quintet, the United Nation Orchestra, and the Caribbean Jazz Project, to name only a few, have provided more than enough of that. With a credit's list to last a lifetime, Urcola set out to create something truly special for his sophomore release, "Viva". The lineup reads like a who's-who in Latin jazz, showcasing the founding fathers of the style, and the young lions of tomorrow, including Dave Samuels, Paquito d'Rivera, Jimmy Heath, Avishai Cohen, Berklee chum Antonio Sanchéz, Edward Simon, and Pernell Saturnino. The record is sonically vibrant and clear, and the authorship is consistently excellent. The performances are as first rate as one might expect of players of such a caliber. The arrangements and solos are tasteful and listenable from start to finish. "Viva", as the name implies, truly lives." (Evan C. Gutierrez, Allmusic)
"Alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón has made a name for himself as a member of David Sánchez's band. This fiery debut as a leader revolves around a quartet comprised of Luis Perdomo (p), Hans Glawischnig (b), and Antonio Sánchez (d). David Sánchez, guitarist Ben Monder, and trumpeter Diego Urcola each make cameos. While Zenón's music certainly owes much to Sánchez, his capacity for nuance and surprise sets him apart. Listen to some of his monster endings and you'll likely agree. His hard-edged, high-velocity alto suggests just a trace of Greg Osby; his compositions, like Sánchez's, blend indigenous Latin forms with highly advanced jazz harmonies, lines, and rhythms. In addition to the dense interplay of "El Bloque" and "El Cruze," and the blistering swing of "Yochabel," Zenón offers a Spanish chant/avant-garde freakout called "Anxiety," and gripping renditions of latin songs. Zenón comes across as focused, imaginative, and highly articulate, tempering chops with tremendous sensitivity." (D.A. Adler, Allmusic)
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