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HENRY MORA ORCHESTRA 'Round Midnight (Tropico Records)
"One of the all-time living legends, bandleader Henry Mora and his big band's smoking CD, 'Round Midnight,' have ingeniously given new flavor to the Latin-Jazz and Salsa landscape! A definite must-have for any serious collector and jazz enthusiast."
HENRY MORA ORCHESTRA 'Round Midnight (Tropico Records)
"I am writing to let you know that I just received Henry Mora's wonderful CD. I am listening to it as I write to you and I am thoroughly enjoying it! The orchestra sounds marvelous, there's great musicianship, the arrangements are very elegant and the CD features a nice blend of selections. It is always a pleasure for me to hear big bands like this one, especially in modern times where 'less' is the trend (unfortunately)."
HENRY MORA ORCHESTRA 'Round Midnight (Tropico Records)
"Round Midnight truly one of the year's most outstanding release. Henry Mora's treatment of jazz standards like Cry Me A River & Unforgettable were fresh and well arranged. The execution of the numbers shown with a brilliance that can only be achieved with a well rehearsed Big Band, outstanding, kick ass! Thank you for Keeping it Big I know it its not easy. Henry Mora's respect for the form is apparent. The one two punch effect with jazz standard & salsa classics works well and really shows the band's versatility. Numbers like Palmieri's Puerto Rico & El Gran Combo's El Menu will have you Dancing and going for the replay button all night."
HENRY MORA ORCHESTRA 'Round Midnight (Tropico Records)
"I just received your promo copy of 'Round Midnight. When I think I heard just about everything in the Latin music arena an orchestra as yours slaps me on the face. What a great album this is. I don't know what I like the most: Bertha's voice, your solos or the whole orquesta sound. Your arrangements are out of this world. My listeners are going to be listening to your album for weeks to come. Keep it up!"
HENRY MORA ORCHESTRA 'Round Midnight (Tropico Records)
"Hi Henry. First, congratulations on your fabulous album, it just blows me away. The musicianship and arrangements are spectacular."
HENRY MORA ORCHESTRA 'Round Midnight (Tropico Records)
Hi Henry, I received your CD yesterday and got a chance to hear it today.
What a great CD! Excellent Latin Jazz. As it should be, Latin with jazz rather than jazz with a touch of Latin. Excellent recording. First class Latin Jazz, Highly recommended! Indeed I really did appreciate the cd. It is a first class effort. I do get lots of cd's in the mail and most are very good but this one was exceptional! It will certainly get air play on my show.
HENRY MORA ORCHESTRA 'Round Midnight (Tropico Records)
Henry Mora's Big Band is a refreshing voice in the crowded Latin music scene. Their upbeat version of "Round Midnight" generates listener's calls, the band's rendition of "Lover Man" must surely make co-composer, Puerto Rican, Roger Ramírez a happy camper at the big dancehall in the sky.
Arturo Gómez, Music Director
Jazz 89, KUVO-Denver
Listen online @: www.kuvo.org
Mon-Fri. 12:00 - 1:00 PM "Lunchtime at the Oasis" CST
Mondays 1:00 - 4:00 PM "Midday at the Oasis" CST
HENRY MORA ORCHESTRA 'Round Midnight (Tropico Records)
I received Henry's cd today just in time for me to put a cut in tomorrow's program. I am a sucker for the big band swing and this ones got it. Bertha is a wonderful vocalist and the Orquesta is heavy duty. This is why I get up so early every Saturday morning so that I can share wonderful work like this for my listeners to experience. Ache, Nick Marrero.
HENRY MORA ORCHESTRA 'Round Midnight (Tropico Records)
I just finished listening to the ('Round Midnight) CD for the first time. Fantastic! The three cuts I chose for airplay are "El Menu," 'Round Midnight," and "Puerto Rico." It was a hard choice between "Puerto Rico" and "Canto De El Pajaro," but the former is so incredible that I had to choose it.
HENRY MORA ORCHESTRA 'Round Midnight (Tropico Records)
('Round Midnight CD) Yes, I have been playing it, and will play it again this Sunday. I like it very much. Nice arrangements, great band execution. Vocals add a nice touch to round up. Cry Me A River is a great chart.
HENRY MORA ORCHESTRA
'Round Midnight
(Tropico Records)
Hello Henry. Thank you for this magnificent BIG BAND project of a CD. I've already aired it on all THREE of my radio show's in this part of the Latin Planet. It's exciting and powerful! The arrangements are so colorful and the vocals by Bertha Oropeza make it the musical icing on the cake. I look forward to broadcasting my future show's and incorporating your music to the mix.
HENRY MORA ORCHESTRA 'Round Midnight (Tropico Records)
WOW! Henry Mora's Salsa Jazz Big Band is explosive, bright and energetic, and is perfect in every way. The title cut "Round Midnight" demonstrates how like a fine Swiss watch, these superb musicians keep perfect time, working in unison and never overpowering one another. Eddie Palmieri's classic "Puerto Rico" is an absolute powerhouse set, and one that would make Eddie himself proud if ever he hears it. "Lover Man", "Cry Me a River" and "Unforgettable" are stellar examples of what happens when Salsa meets Jazz, and Mora's arrangements and Bertha Oropeza's vocals are perfectly suited to the band's monster performances on each track. Highly recommended…five mangos plus! In one, word "Wow!" This CD's certainly destined to receive plenty of airplay on my radio program.
HENRY MORA ORCHESTRA 'Round Midnight (Tropico Records)
Big Band lovers, you are in for a treat! Henry Mora's Salsa Jazz Orchestra hearkens back to the days when the Tito Rodriguez and Tito Puente Latin Jazz Orchestras rocked the Palladium 'til the wee hours of the morning with hot, scintillating Latin Jazz and Salsa. This offering by Henry Mora is no less scorching, and absolutely delivers.
Take "El Menu", that El Gran Combo hit from the Seventies - the tune cooks and simmers, and Henry throws literally "everything" in the pot, and brings it to a boil (note the flute work by Dave Victorino). His rendition of "Puerto Rico", Eddie Palmieri's and Ismael Quintana's unforgettable collaboration, just blows you away. It starts off nice and easy, but quickly rockets into the stratosphere with the trombones stating the melody a la "instrumental", but Ruben Rodriguez's vocals soon soar over the brass licks. George Mcmullen's opening 'bone solo swings, reminding me of the great Barry Rogers. The tribute to Monk, "'Round Midnight," as well as "Unforgettable" prove to be just that - unique and unforgettable. "Canto De El Pajaro" is a beautiful melodic piece that sets a slow, "smokey romantic" mood. "Cry Me A River" features the talented vocalist Bertha Oropeza, and she really does Henry Mora's "caliente" arrangement justice.
The Orchestra members are no less talented, and Henry allows his musicians to "stretch out and strut their stuff", something not often heard of in today's formula-driven Salsa.All in all, the CD is a great piece of work, and worthy of a listen. Put it on, dim the lights, grab your honey, and hit the floor! A Gozar!
To my way of thinking, there is nothing more enjoyable than the sound of a Big Band, a la Jimmy Dorsey, Machito, Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez. I am fortunate to have witnessed these bands live during my 67 years; however, Henry's Big Band CD 'Round Midnight, though not a live performance, matches my enjoyment level. Being partial to classic salsa, I particularly loved Henry's arrangement of "Puerto Rico" and "El Menu". Continue providing us with the Big Band Sound Henry, there is still an audience for your product.
HENRY MORA ORCHESTRA 'Round Midnight (Tropico Records)
With bright, powerful, and colorful horn arrangements reminiscent of the big
band era of the 40 's & 50's along with a fire powered Afro-Cuban rhythm
section, the Henry Mora Orchestra delivers a sound that will captivate both the
listening and dance audience. My favorite is the tasteful rendering of the
classic Thelonious Monk composition 'Round Midnight. I highly recommend this CD.
HENRY MORA ORCHESTRA 'Round Midnight (Tropico Records)
Mr. Henry,
Gracias I just received your promo CD on 1/17/04 and I played the #6 "Puerto Rico" on my show the same day. It is a fabulous album. I received a few phone calls from my listeners. Very good job on this Album.
Henry Mora "Round Midnight" 2003. Mix in Salsa with some smooth yet uplifting Latin Jazz and you have the whole flavor of this West Coast-made CD. From "Round Midnight" through some beautiful boleros like "El Canto de El Parajo" into a very different yet very danceable version of "El Menu" which by the way, features the vocals of Tito Quiles-Montanez - nephew of one heavyweight Salsa superstar Andy Montanez. El Menu is different simply because of the flute solo, which does not add a charanga touch, but instead uplifts a very classic Salsa tune. Then there's "Puerto Rico," another tune masterfully done and in retrospect, a great tribute to Eddie Palmieri. "Round Midnight" grabs you by the ears and doesn't let go until you are totally dipped in enjoyment. I gave mention of some of the Hot Tunes now take a listen by getting this one for yourself and cruising through the night with some very cool sounds, Latino flavored. RATING: 10 Potes de Salsa out of 10.
