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Camilo Valencia / Richard Bravo: Made in Miami

By Dan Bilawsky
February 6, 2023
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Camilo Valencia / Richard Bravo: Made in Miami

Miami is a melting pot where people and musics of all stripes share space and influence, cross-pollinating to create a sound and culture like no other. That fact provides the foundation for this upbeat collection. Blending elements sourced from numerous musical styles and languages including salsa, pop, samba, jazz and R&B, among others, multi-instrumentalist

Camilo Valencia

saxophone, soprano
1959 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Camilo Valencia and drummer

Richard Bravo

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Richard Bravo create unique and flavorful dishes served hot by a rotating cast.

Opening on "CCU (Coronary Care Unit)," the team paints the town funky while saxophonist

Ed Calle

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Ed Calle and trumpeter

Jason Carder

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Jason Carder fire away. A musical "thank you" note to those who have cared for Valencia during his heart transplant surgeries, it paints a picture of positivity as the album's starting point. Two complementary cuts—the title track, a sly and catchy number with

Dave Fernandez

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Fernandez blowing on tenor saxophone and

Milton Salcedo

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Milton Salcedo cooking on piano, and "Hurricane Jimenez," where the pianist and Valencia (on EWI) deal in infectious joy— follow and solidify a signature sound. Then, just as quickly, Valencia and Bravo go someplace completely different with a glossy "Misty" featuring trumpeter

Arturo Sandoval

trumpet
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Arturo Sandoval.

As things progress, the co-leaders continue to please with one rhythmically energized number after another. "Songo Bop," a fusion of its two titular styles, proves to be a serious standout. "Funkeando," with Fernandez moving over to alto,

Ismael Vergara

clarinet

" data-original-title="" title="">Ismael Vergara adding some sinuous soprano and

Philip Lassiter

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Philip Lassiter bringing it on trumpet, uses its name's first syllable as a calling card. "Papadin," with the Bravo family on percussion and

Jorge Dobal

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Jorge Dobal putting his melodious trombone to good use, proves zesty and satisfying. And "Cafe Union" and the fiery-and-folkloric "Guanabacoa Streets," each eyeing Cuba from completely different angles, prove captivating. Add to that a tender "One Heart at a Time," honoring a young murder victim whose heart now beats in Valencia's body, and a bonus-track alternate version of "Misty, " featuring vocalist

Jackson King

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Jackson King, and the story is complete. Miami has so much music to share and influence to bear, and Camilo Valencia and Richard Bravo bring that truth to light for all to hear.

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Track Listing

CCU (Coronary Care Unit); Made in Miami; Hurricane Jimenez; Misty; Songo Bop; Funkeando; Papadin; One Heart at a Time; Cafe Union; Guanabacoa Streets; Misty (bonus track).

Personnel

Richard Bravo

drums

Camilo Valencia

saxophone, soprano

Alex Sino

producer

Arturo Sandoval

trumpet

Milton Salcedo

piano

David Hernandez

saxophone, tenor

Ed Calle

saxophone

Julio Ariel Diaz

trumpet

Rafael Valencia

bass

Jackson King

vocals

Alemnest Andino

flute

Luis Enrique

percussion

Additional Instrumentation

Alemnest Andino: trumpet; Ismael Vergara: saxophone; Dave Fernandez: saxophone; Camilo Valencia: saxophone, piano; Julio Diaz: trumpet; Jose Sibaja: trumpet; Yaure Muniz: trumpet; Igor Rivas: trumpet; Jason Carder: trumpet; Dante Vargas: trumpet; Arturo Sandoval: trumpet; Jorge Dobal: trombone; Jorge Dobal, Jr.: trombone; Dana Tebce: trombone; Milton Salcedo: piano; Javier Concepcion: piano; Dan Warner: guitar; Manny Lopez: guitar; Tommy Anthony: guitar; Camilo Velandia: guitar; Junior Bravo: guitar; Rafael "Fafa" Valencia, Jr.: bass; Rafael "California" Valencia, Sr.: bass; Omar Hernandez: bass; Jerry Bravo: bass; Julio Hernandez: bass; Richard Bravo: percussion.

Album information

Title: Made in Miami | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Pier 5 /Warner Music Latin

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