Review: Chris Trinidad y Con Todo

CHRIS TRINIDAD Y CON TODO
RELEASED 2019

We at NewGenSalsa would like to welcome “Chris Trinidad y Con Todo” to our family of artists. After reading the press release for this production I would be remiss if I didn’t quote what it said in the beginning paragraph which I found to be so cool. It clearly explains what happens when musicians no matter where they’re from click as one as these two cats have done. So sit back on your easy chair with your favorite drink and let Chris Trinidad and Christian Tumalan take you on a musical journey.

Recipe for “Con Todo”:
Take one Filipino-Canadian bass player, add songs he wrote on a cruise ship in the Caribbean, and marinated for 19 years. Combine with one Mexican-American Grammy-winning arranger of Salsa music. Then enjoy this latin jazz album of cross-pollinated melodies, rhythms, and genres from two North American musicians with a passion for the flavors of Afro-Cuban music. And that my friends is “Con Todo”
…Aguaaaa!

Let’s get into this bad ass production that I haven’t been able to remove from my CD player. I must of played it 3 times a day for the past 28 days. That’s how good this Latin Jazz production is.

I would have to take this time to give cudos to all the musicians who helped make this CD a must add to your Latin Jazz collection.

Musicians:

Chris Trinidad: Bass Guitar
Christian Tumalan: Piano
Carlos Caro: Congas, Bongos, Guiro, Chekere
Colin Douglas: Timbal Kit, Clave, Bells
Bill Ortiz: Trumpet (1, 4, 6, 7. 8)
Jeff Cressman: Trombone (1, 6, 7, 8)
Jamie Dubberly: Trombone (2, 3, 4, 5)
Tony Peebles: Tenor Sax (3, 6)
Anthony Blea: Violin (2, 3, 5)
Tod Dickow: Flute (2, 3, 4, 5)
Juan Luis Perez: Voice (1, 5, 8)
Christelle Durandy: Voce (1, 5, 8)

*All compositions by Chris Trinidad
*Instrumental Arrangements by Christian Tumalan
*Vocal arrangemts by Carlos Caro, Christelle Durandy and Juan Luis Perez

Songs:

Track #1 “Luna Nueva En Mi Mente” starts off with a percussion intro layered with a Jazz, Timba and Funk element that the On2 dancers will love to groove too. Solos by Bill Ortiz (Trumpet) and Jeff Cressman (Trombone) Make this track a must play at dance clubs.

Track #2 “Ojos Abierto” Has a Timba swing with a touch of Charanga with Carlos Caro doing his thing on the Congas. This song also features the following vocalists Juan Luis and Christelle Durandy who come on during the Timba section.

Track #3 “Tigres Blancos y Elefantes Grises” Has Tony Peebles rocking the Tenor Sax and Christian Tumalan spicing it up with a piano solo.

Track #4 “Llegando A La Razón” The title refers to that”point of seeing,” where thoughts and emotions converge to make way for reasoned thinking. I’m definitely feeling Chris’ take on this song. A very sexy bolero featuring Bill Ortiz on Trumpet and a bass solo by Chis Trinidad which were both perfectly executed and added that sexy spice to take this track to another level.

Track #5 “La Esencia De La Intención” This song happens to be my personal favorite on this album. An off the hook Cha Cha Cha with a catchy hook and both Juan and Christelle nailed the vocals with swing. With a groovy piano solo and finishes off with a “Ray Barretto classic Cocinando” flavor where the percussionists rock.

Track #6 “Principios De La Causalidad” Another swinging Latin Jazz Jam which starts off as a 6/8 Afro and transitions to a fast Mambo with Tony Peebles again blowing some sweet magic and Christian Tumalan working the keyboards.

Track #7 “Hasta Entonces, Mi Amigo” A latin jazz Songo with an added Charanga flavor.

Track #8 “Espirítu Del Antiguo Sol” A Plena mixed with the Cuban Son which really works well.

I have added for your listening and dancing pleasure one of many favs “La Esencia De La Intención” a smokin’ Cha Cha Cha that you won’t get tired of listening to.

If you wish to purchase this production you can at the following link:

Iridium Records