In Spirit

Reviewed: 2018-05-12
Genre: Jazz
FCCs: none
Review: Añel presents a set of personal songs that deeply touch the listener's ear, mind and soul, and bring to mind the confessional yet universal genius of such songwriters as Tracy Chapman. They are well-written & powerfully sung reflections of all the hustle and bustle of Añel's own life as a New York-born Cuban-African American from Spanish Harlem,
If You Like: Tracy Chapman, Joan Armatrading, Joni Mitchell, Cecile McLorrin Salvant
Track Review (favorites denoted by *):
*1/ Another Place, Another Time – congas start> uptempo song with Latin beat> sax solo> uptempo song> fade
2/ Climb The Wall – drums start> midtempo song> uptempo song> trumpet solo to slow fade
**3/ Thin Line – percussion/bass starts> uptempo song> electric guitar solo> uptempo song> fade
**4/ Much To My Surprise - guitar starts> midtempo song with strong vocals> electric guitar solo> uptempo song soars with chorus> slow fade
5/ I Don’t Care (Groucho’s Blues) – piano starts> midtempo song> scat solo> midtempo song> quick fade> pause> a few more notes
6/ Something To Do – drums start > uptempo song with Latin beat> slow fade
*7/ George Bailey’s Lament – guitar starts> slow song builds to midtempo> quick stop
8/ Traffic Jam In A One Horse Town – guitar/bass starts> midtempo song with strong voca>bass solo> midtempo song> bass solo with several pauses> quick stop
*9/ So Far Away - bass/organ starts> midtempo song swings up with chorus> instrumental break> uptempo song> slow fade
**10/ The Way Out – horns start> midtempo song with strong vocal> electric guitar solo> midtempo song> slow fade on vocal