There are quite a few Latin jazz groups around in the L.A. area but few feature the vibes in the forefront. Ruben Estrada, following in the tradition of Cal Tjader, is the lead voice of this colorful sextet heard on this well-paced and consistently e [+]There are quite a few Latin jazz groups around in the L.A. area but few feature the vibes in the forefront. Ruben Estrada, following in the tradition of Cal Tjader, is the lead voice of this colorful sextet heard on this well-paced and consistently exciting disc. With stirring rhythms contributed by the vibist’s son, Ruben “Cougar” Estrada, and Raul Rico, Jr. on congas, the music is both danceable and creative within the idiom. As accessible as it is intelligent, this CD is a difficult one to resist!
– Scott Yanow, Music Connection, July 1995
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The spirit of the late Cal Tjader hovers over these ten finely crafted that dazzle with bebop sensibility and Chicano West Coast coolness. The sextet is the evolution of a family band that started off with eight brothers in the 1950’s and has whittled down to diehards Ruben and Henry keeping the flame lit. Raul Rico, Jr. on congas and pianist Joe Rotondi, Jr. serve as musical pillars keeping the arrangements tight and crisp. It would be easy to typecast tem as a tribute band, but there’s to much originality and style for that.
The opener “Mr. Ray, picks up where Tjader left off, nothing fancy and just a straight-ahead groove. Ruben is a marvel on the mallets ringing off riffs that resonate like raindrops of water. A “Latin for Lovers,” aura compliments bolero classics “Un Cigarillo, La Lluvia y Tu,” and “Ya No Me Quieres,” with Henry doing his Stan Getz-thing on tenor. The Rotondi original, “Joe’s Songo,” and the title track are my favorites with the guajira written to Ruben’s wife, and “Delia Bonita,” holding melodically timeless lines that sing. A top pick from the coast!
– Jesse “Chuy” Varela, New York Latino, July 1995
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Like a breath of fresh air, the new recording by the Estrada Brothers has finally emerged from Southern California, and it's About Time.
After close to three years in the making, this aptly titled and well-crafted recording is a portrait of a well-established and respected family musical dynasty, which, up until now, has remained relatively unknown to the general public outside of California.
About Time is the third Estrada release in recent year
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