This being my first review for “ReviewYou.com”, I’ll share with you where I sit before I tell you where I stand. When a CD crosses my path for a review, before I take a listen, I do not read the bio, the liner notes, where they studied, if they are formally trained, or whom he or she has played with. What matters is what I’m about to listen to, and I take it very seriously because I care very much about the music.
That being said – have you ever listened to a CD or been to a concert, and at the end of it said to yourself; “Wow…this person is doing exactly what they should be doing.”
That’s exactly the feeling I was left with after listening to Alfredo Triff‘s new CD.
Listening I found myself being somewhere in Budapest, or was it Cuba, or was it Eastern Europe – no – it was New York. It could have been anywhere.
One of the things I love most about Triff’s latest recorded effort is the simplicity of instrumentation. This CD is NOT overproduced. Every composition is beautiful, nicely arranged, well recorded and mixed. “Caca de cuna” is a duet with maracas and piano that struck me as especially sweet in its simplicity. “Crimen fatal” is as soulful as it gets – it’s a wonderful trio piece with Misael Valera piano, Roberto Poveda, vocal and Triff on Violin. Rosie Inguanzo’s vocal on “Conejo crispado” is like the voice on an angel. Sensitive, heartfelt and again, musically simply stated.
In my judgment, Alfredo is clearly educated – attended the National Conservatory of Music in Havana - it’s as if he did his homework and then forgot about all that and got in touch with his soul. Actually, Alfredo strikes me as someone who got in touch with his music long before school – early in his life. This CD perfectly represents his technique, compositional and arranging skills.
While the compositions and arrangements may be Alfredo’s, and while Alfredo may be the featured artist on the CD, – it’s not just all about Alfredo – it’s clear to me that for Triff, it’s about the MUSIC. The arrangements let the ensemble breath. Each performer has their statement – and they ALL say it well. The musicians selected for the session were perfect.
There isn’t anything I don’t like about Triff’s latest work and I highly recommend it.
Reviewed By Steve Barta
