Roberto Fonseca
Akokan
Enja/Justin Time Records
www.justin-time.com
By George W. Harris

Cuban Pianist Roberto Fonseca breaks away from his touring duties with
the Buena Vista Social Club to put out a passionate and soulful disc
in the genre of Michel Camilo. Similar in passion and intensity,
Fonseca also has a romantic and yearning touch, as he demonstrates on
the lovely and evocative “Fragmento De Misa” and “Lo Que Me Hace
Vivir.” The band varies from trio to percussive quartet and occaisional
reeds and woodwinds provided by Javier Zalba, who is particularly
alluring on clarinet (“Bulgarian” and “Drum Negrita”). Some of the
tunes have some whirlwind finger work, as on “Pequenos Viajes” and some
intensely kinetic ricocheting from Fonseca, Ramses Rodriguez/dr and
Joel Hierrezuelo/perc as on “Lento y Despacio,” while vocalist Mayra
Andrade adds an almost liturgical feel to songs like the ethereal
“Siete Ponencias.” As with all good things latin, there’s that classic
intangible “alma” that mixes the soulful solemnity of church with the
celebration of life. Give this guy a listen.