The cross-pollination between jazz and music from Latin America has been ongoing for well over a century now, with some of the most beautiful music being born as a result. The blending of jazz harmonies with the rhythms of Africa has excited listeners and continues to do so, but beyond the music, it is also a glimpse into the complex history of the Americas. One such project that encapsulates all of this rich history is bassist Alex Apolo Ayala’s, Bámbula!! Rich with the rhythmic complexities of bomba, which permeates the whole of the album, it is an album that is exciting to listen to, an album that makes one reflect on social issues, and it’s one that teaches us about the beautiful history of Puerto Rican music.
On this venture, the bassist extraordinaire is joined by fellow Puerto Rican brethren Ivan Renta on Alto and Soprano saxophone, Fernando García on drums, Nelson Mateo González on percussion, and special guest vocalist Anna Louise Andersson.
The sonoric melody of the opening track, “Bámbula (to my ancestors” conjures the spirit of the diaspora with the African rhythms that flow underneath the melody played by Renta. Ayala’s solo on this opening track shows his mastery of the jazz language and that of his native Puerto Rico, with both merging into a voice that holds the past, present, and the future of the music. “Jíbaro Negro” has a seductive groove to it that draws you in with its swing that has that “Spanish tinge” to it! With undertones of the blues mixed in with the traditional harmonic layout of Latin jazz, it makes for an alluring composition that is sure to be an earworm for everyone. The quirky and enigmatic “Bozales” captures the listener’s attention at once and takes them into uncharted territories. The ensemble playing here is second to none as the dialogues occurring are on full display. Anna Louise Andersson guest appears on “Café y bomba eh” and in the words of Ayala, “Anna Louise is like a breath of fresh air. Her voice is clean, her intonation is remarkable, and her vocal range and skill are incredible.” Her ability to blend with the ensemble and come out the texture when required is amazing and her vocals definitely make this composition something extra special. “Matriarca” pays homage to Ayala’s grandmother and it is a beautifully melancholic melody that is sad, and yet full of joy at the same time. The heartfelt memories Ayala must feel for his grandmother truly come through in each note. The virtuosity displayed on “Agosto” is remarkable with both Renta and Ayala calling upon all their musical language and not holding back at all. Ayala’s opening cadenza on “Ma, bendición” is a beautiful tribute to his late mother, and it goes through an array of emotional landscapes. Fernando García takes a phenomenal solo that takes the listener to a higher spiritual plane. The final track sees Ayala paying homage to his ancestors clearly with an amazing arrangement of the Puerto Rican classic, “Las Caras Lindas.” And somehow the entire ensemble elevated their playing to the next level, which was already in the stars since the beginning of the album!
This album was inspired by the personal losses of Ayala as well as the social climate of America after the George Floyd tragedy, and while these circumstances are tragic, they have given birth to a shining diamond in the form of Bámbula. Alex Apolo Ayala is a conscientious artist with deep knowledge and understanding of who he is as a person, as an artist, and an understanding of the direction of his music. After watching the interview that Alex did with Occhi’s own Darryl Yokley, I knew I HAD to talk about this album and I hope you all will check this out as well. Alex Apolo Ayala is on a mission and it’s off to a great start!!
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