Various Artists - Bridge to Havana

The dictum "art transcends politics" is aurally illustrated on this recording, which chronicles a seven-day get-together in Havana with American, English, and Cuban musicians in 1999. It boasts a broad range of artists--from blues rockers Bonnie Raitt and smooth jazz saxophonist Dave Koz, to their lesser-known Cuban counterparts like Yadira Lopez, Carlos Alfonso, and Rey Guerra. On "Vacilon," Gladys Knight and Edesio Alejandro merge African-American soul and the Afro-Cuban bolero. 1970s icon Peter Frampton and Alberto Tosca turn in a midtempo percussion and guitar-driven ditty, "Hey, Hey," while drummer Mick Fleetwood, Todd Smallwood, and Augusto Enriquez get down on the anthemic "One World." The sexy syncopations of "Just Want to Be Alone With You," featuring Joan Osborne and keyboardist Jose Maria Vitier, melds the honk tonk with the danzon, making the 90 miles and political realities that separate our nations seem much closer. --Eugene Holley, Jr. Amazon.com

An ear full of Heaven

This Cd is smooth as silk, with some awesome tracks. I first listened to it while at a friends home. I had to have a copy of my own. It was a pleasant surprise to listen to artist (Montel Jordan) whom I would never associate with smooth jazz. A pleasant treat, indeed. December 14, 2006

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