Latin Jazz Album: Aguanko’s “Elemental” Review

5

“Elemental” is the nice debut album of Latin Jazz group Aguanko. Led by Mexican Alberto Nacif and featuring Cuban percussion maestro Pepe Espinosa, the 10-piece ensemble released a delightful album that will surprise jazz fans.

Alberto Nacif is a true “son of the drum”, learning the instrument from Cuban masters and having performed with the Muñequitos de Matanzas, Arturo Sandoval, and the late Cuban legend Frank Emilio Flynn.

Jose “Pepe” Espinosa is a veteran percussionist that is also an alumni of Frank Emilio, and perhaps is best known for his work with Cubanisimo, the Afro-Cuban All Stars, Arturo Sandoval, Chucho Valdes, and Gonzalo Rubalcaba.

Aguankó founder Alberto Nacif studied the drum with Cuban masters and composed all songs of "Elemental".
Aguankó founder Alberto Nacif studied the drum with Cuban masters and composed all songs of “Elemental”.

The rest of the Aguanko lineup is full of great musicians, including Wesley Reynoso on piano, a native of the Dominican Republic that studied in Puerto Rico and is one of the most sought after pianist in the music scene.

As Alberto says in the albums inner liner, the band’s name came from the fusion of 2 words of things he loves to listen; “the natural sound of running water (Agua in Spanish), and the drums and songs of the Rumba Guaguancó (a complex Cuban music and dance style.”

What I Liked About Aguanko “Elemental”

  • Well Crafted Tunes – “Elemental” is the perfect title for this album as it describes the music in it. The 9 original songs composed by Alberto Nacif build on the basics, avoiding complex arrangements, but still with enough musicality and musicianship that makes you enjoy its elements.
  • Yours truely (Hector Aviles) with Pepe Espinosa in 2009 when Pepe visited Seattle with the Afro Cuban All Stars.
    Yours truely (Hector Aviles) with Pepe Espinosa in 2009 when Pepe visited Seattle with the Afro Cuban All Stars.

    Variety of Music Styles – Alberto reaches into the deep bag of Latin music genres to provide Latin Jazz several Afro Cuban genres like cha cha, danzón, montuno, bolero, and others.

  • Excellent Musicianship – each of the musicians that participate in “Elemental” have a chance to showcase their talent. The sax of Paul Vornhagen in “Jesus Maria”, the flute of Russ Miller in the nice danzon “Elizabeth”, the piano of Wesley in “La Bicicleta” and throughout the album, the trombone of Chris Smith, Paul Finkbeiner on trumpet, and Pepe and Javier Barrios on percussion. Alberto Nacif almost relegates himself to a supporting role, but his “tumbao” in congas and occasional flirt with the bata drums are heard through “Elemental”.

Suggestions on “Elemental”

  • "Elemental" is the nice Latin Jazz debut album of Alberto Nacif's Aguankó.
    “Elemental” is the nice Latin Jazz debut album of Alberto Nacif’s Aguankó.

    One song – The only song I couldn’t place in this album was the last song “In My Dreams”. It follows the old Sesame Street phrase “one of these things is not like the rest”. I’m glad it was the shortest song of the album at only 2 minutes!

My Recommendation on “Elemental”

I was delightfully surprised by how much I liked Aguanko “Elemental”. The culmination of Alberto Nacif’s dream to record his songs, this is a very relaxing album that will keep you interested and listening actively almost until the end . Alberto interweaves the elements of Afro Cuban rhythms with jazz in a creative blend that I believe will delight Latin Jazz fans that get a hold of “Elemental”.

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5 Comments
  1. Alberto Nacif says

    Hello, Hector,
    Thanks for the thoughtful and informative review. One small detail: Russ Miller is the saxophonist for the band and soloist on almost all tunes, he is the soloist on Chasin Chano (my favorite) and on Jesus Maria (your favorite). Paul Vornhagen is featured on only one tune (Elizabeth),
    again, thanks!
    Alberto

    1. Hector Aviles says

      Hola Alberto! Glad to hear you liked the review. Thanks for the clarification on the sax player. I’ll update the review to make sure the proper credit is provided to Russ Miller. Keep up the good work!

      Hector

      1. Alberto Nacif says

        Please send me you email address and phone number, we are working on the second album which will have some heavy-hitter guest stars…stay tuned, amigo

  2. Alberto Nacif says

    Hello Héctor, our new CD is
    out, send me your Address and I’ll send you a copy

    1. Hector Aviles says

      Hi Alberto,
      I’ll send you an email with my address.

      Best,
      H-

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