Santos, John & The Machete Ensemble / Brazos Abiertos
Album: Brazos Abiertos   Collection:World
Artist:Santos, John & The Machete Ensemble   Added:Sep 2004
Label:Machete Records  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2004-12-19 Pull Date: 2005-02-18 Charts: Reggae/World
Week Ending: Feb 13 Jan 30 Jan 23 Jan 16 Jan 9 Jan 2 Dec 26
Airplays: 1 1 1 6 1 4 3

Recent Airplay
1. Feb 11, 2022: At the Cafe Bohemian (rebroadcast from May 10, 2017)
Mi Plena De Libertad
4. Sep 05, 2006: At the Cafe Bohemian
Bombon
2. May 10, 2017: At the Cafe Bohemian
Mi Plena De Libertad
5. Sep 05, 2005: radiomundi
Going Home Tomorrow
3. May 26, 2009: At the Cafe Bohemian
Going Home Tomorrow
6. Feb 08, 2005: At the Cafe Bohemian
Bombon

Album Review
Fo
Reviewed 2004-11-30
JOHN SANTOS & MACHETE ENSEMBLE – “Brazos Abiertos”
Machete Records, 2003

One of the biggest and best Latin Jazz ensembles in the Bay Area, John Santos’ band continues to deliver strong grooves that span several Latin idioms, starring a virtual who’s who of the local scene. I don't think this is their strongest outing, but it’s a pleasant listen with lots of hip-shaking breaks.

Trombone master Steve Turre and bassist Andy Gonzalez guest on track 1. Don't miss track 10, which is really great.

Fo’s picks: 1, 3, 6, 7, 10

1. 6:59 – long intro; midtempo bomba + rumba rhythms, solos: trombone, perc
2. 6:05 – light guaracha, relaxed vocal by Orlando Torriente; heats up later
3. 5:48 – light-hearted Puerto Rican plena, second half good and loose
4. 7:35 – suite: nature sounds, abstraction, angular groove; bass clarinet lead
5. 4:38 – Afro-Cuban inst., shifting rhythms; solos for tenor sax & timbales
6. 5:29 – sweet “son-chá”, a laid-back Cuban dance number w/a swaying beat
7. 5:10 – midtempo guaracha, airy and flowing: a positive call to action
8. 6:04 – soul-merengue, smooth and upbeat. English vocal, hot in the middle.
9. 6:14 – low-key and a bit mysterious, then fast percussion-based groove
10. 6:52 – wow! a unique mix of Yoruba chant and bluesy gospel vocals (four singers share the lead): slow tempo. Nice flute solo too!

[ Fo ] – 11/30/2004

Track Listing
1. Brazos Abiertos   6. Bombon
2. No Canto a Tus Ojos   7. Dale La Mano
3. Mi Plena De Libertad   8. Martinica
4. Buscando La Paz   9. Herbs
5. Apetegbi   10. Going Home Tomorrow