Tiempo Libre
My Secret Radio
Masterworks Records
www.sonymasterworks.com
By George W. Harris

Miami-based and with Cuba in their dna, this septet is a party animal of a band. Keyboardist Jorge Gomez writes most of the material, and he keeps it cruising like a 57 Bel Air on the Boulevard. Tunes like “Lo Mio Primero” and “Prende la Radio” (which includes a fiery trombone solo by Chad Bernstein) strut like the king of the street. The horn work is as crisp as a Zoot Suit, while Rachelle Fleming’s voice on “After The Love Is Gone” is a agonizingly penetrating as a Dear John letter. The band is as tight as a pair of newly washed blue jeans, and the percussion sizzles like grilled onions. A yummy feast!