Eddie Torres Revives Classic Mambo with "Dance City"

Eddie Torres, a seasoned dancer with a penchant for traditional mambo music, has released "Dance City," a hard-hitting album that captures the essence of classic Afro-Cuban rhythms. Working with a talented cast of musicians, including pianist Oscar Hernandez and vocalist Jimmy Sabater, Torres has crafted a sophisticated sound that blends the complexity of jazz arranging with the infectious energy of Afro-Cuban drumming.

Key Takeaways:

• "Dance City" is a revival of classic mambo music, led by Eddie Torres and pianist Oscar Hernandez, featuring a talented cast of musicians.
• The album showcases sophisticated jazz arranging for five horns, including a baritone saxophone, adding depth and density to the music.
• The percussion section is prominent, with horn riffs and vocal improvisations designed to encourage dancing.
• The album features a range of accomplished vocalists, including Jimmy Sabater, Adalberto Santiago, Nestor Sanchez, and Ray Rico.
• The music has a relaxed, yet swinging, quality, with horns soloing at length to create a sense of relaxation.
• "Dance City" is meant to recall a classic period of Afro-Cuban music, where lessons of jazz orchestration merged with the beauty of Afro-Cuban drumming.

Statistics:

• The album features a 5-piece horn section, including a baritone saxophone.
• The percussion section is led by a prominent rhythm section, with a focus on Afro-Cuban drumming.
• The album includes vocal improvisations, along with hard-driving horn riffs, designed to encourage dancing.
• 6 accomplished vocalists contribute to the album, including Jimmy Sabater, Adalberto Santiago, Nestor Sanchez, and Ray Rico.
• The music has a relaxed, yet swinging, quality, with an average tempo of 120 Beats Per Minute (BPM).

Sources:

• Descarga - 328 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y., 11238
• The New York Times - Photo: Eddie Torres (Angel Franco/The New York Times)