Press
elWatusi
Oh yeah. This gorgeous session is an exquisite blend of hard driving charanga, montuno, Latin jazz and Arabian influenced dance music. Colette Michaan, a first generation American of Egyptian descent who was born and raised in New York City, has provided us with an unexpected gem for the New Year. Think Orchestra Rytmo Africa-Cubana (Alfredo de la Fe, Nestor Torres) meets Africando meets Rabih Abou-Khalil.
Michaan, a gifted flautist, has performed with Hubert Laws, Richard Bona, and Youssou N’Dour. On Querencia, she is joined by an international ensemble of notables including percussionist Pedro Martinez, bassists Yunior Terry and Jorge Bringas, pianist Edgar Pantoja Aleman, tresero Aaron Halva, vocalist Jainardo Batista as well as sintir player and vocalist Hassan Hakmoun. A wonderful beginning for a new year, and very Highly Recommended.
Salsa Power
On her second release as a band leader, Colette Michaan demonstrates that you don’t have to be Cuban to play their rhythms with flavor. Armed with seven musicians and singers, Colette delves into a variety of Cuban rhythms from son to cha cha chá to danzón. With no horns in sight, the recording has more or less a charanga format making this stand out even more from its contemporaries. But it is ‘El montuno’ by the late maestro Emiliano Salvador that gets my vote as pure fire. This cut gives plenty of space for the musicians to do their thing. Edgar Pantoja on piano is quick and blazing. On the other hand Colette Michaan‘s flute solo is soft and aggressive, while Pedro MartÃnez on congas shows why he’s one of the most requested percussionists today.
It’s clear this group knows what they are doing: experimenting with rhythms but keeping it danceable. It’s a win – win for all.
Ritmomania Entertainment
Nacida & crecida en Nueva York de descendencia egipcia llega la flautista estadounidense Colette Michaan con su mas reciente producción musical, “Querencia” esta es una exquisita fusión de Montuno, Charanga, LatÃn Jazz y algunos elementos de la música árabe.
La pasión por la música de Colette esta impregnada en esta producción la cual nos remonta a la época de la Charanga y nos hace recordar a grandes como Pacheco, Alfredo de la Fe, Néstor Torres.
