Artist: Alex Garcia’s Afromantra
Title: This Side of Mestizaje
Label: self produced
Genre: Latin jazz
Review by Dawoud Kringle
In New York City, in the autumn of 1997, a Chilean – Cuban drummer and composer Alejandro “Alex” Garcia formed a group he called Afromantra. Using the rhythms of North and Latin America as a foundation, they built their jazz inspired compositions and explorations with elements from several Latin traditions. They’ve performed throughout the bets venues in NYC (a sample: Izzy Bar, Studio 54, Nell’s, Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Jazz Gallery, etc.) as well as festivals throughout the US. They’ve also been immortalized in the book Caliente, Una Historia del Jazz Latino” by Luc Delannoy.
Not to mention their latest release, This Side of Mestizaje. The CD showcases their hard earned reputation as seasoned creative musicians. The Afromania ensemble on the CD is Alex Garcia (drums), Ole Mathisen (soprano sax), Mike Eckroth (piano), and Ariel De La Portilla (electric bass).
A playful dance on the Rhodes opens the first track “Believe.” The bouncing syncopations and form a backdrop against which a deceptively complex yet hook laden soprano sax line draws the listener into an easy vibe that caresses the ear. As the track evolves and changes, the music draws the listener into, then away from, its own comfort zone.
“11:11 Spirit” is a jazz excursion takes up where the previous track left off. This takes the listener to another possibility of the previous vibe.
The next track, “Mestizaje,” displays Garcia’s compositional genius and the band’s virtuosity. They navigate the incredibly complex piece with an impressive ease and precision. Yet there is also a depth to the music that goes beyond merely showing off chops.
“Azul Infinito” begins with a very Latin feel. In fact, despite the complex changes and intricate harmonies that insinuate themselves in and around the song, this is, so far, the most strongly Latin track. The two conceptual influences seem to be having an impassioned conversation. Garcia took a brief solo that seemed to teasingly hint at a resolution between the two; but they took off into another realm before returning to the original.
The rest of the CD provides a good blend of unity and contrast (I particularly liked “Coltranesque” and “Purple Man”). Everything comes together nicely and forms a coherent musical statement throughout. Garcia, Mathisen, Eckroth, and De La Portilla are clearly world class musicians whose work is not to be underestimated. This Side of Mestizaje is a monumental work.
