Bailar (Deluxe Edition)＜限定盤＞

Before joining Princes band during the 1980s as Sheila E, Sheila Escovedo spent almost a decade as a session and touring percussionist. She played with everyone, from her father Pete Escovedos Afro-Latin jazz band to George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Billy Cobham, Flora Purim, Con Funk Shun, the Blackbyrds, and the Crusaders. During and after her tenure with Prince, Escovedo released a clutch of fine solo albums including 2017s Iconic: Message 4 America. Despite the fact shes been playing salsa most of her life, Bailar is her debut album in the genre. It was recorded in Miami and at several California studios. The program includes six originals, killer covers, and a star-studded studio cast. Opening number "Anacaona," by famed Puerto Rican composer Catalina Alonso, was arranged by Ramon Sanchez and features Ruben Blades on lead vocals. A burning salsa, the percussion interplay between Sheila E, Tony Succar, and Diego Camacho under Blades soaring, soulful vocal and a backing chorus is breathtaking. The horn section offers excellent contrapuntal engagement with Livan Mesas piano. The title track walks the invisible border between Cuban son and vintage Nuyorican salsa with vocalist Luis Enrique (though Sheila E inserts a completely unexpected rap breakdown near its close). The frenetic drumming and horn exchanges are underscored by fiery piano montunos and a strident, anthemic chorus of singers and chanters. Single "Bemba Colora" is a classic son associated with Cuban vocal icon Celia Cruz. Its three-part lead vocal is offered by Mimy Succar, Gloria Estefan, and Sheila E. The latters rippling conga solo is one of the sets brightest moments. The reading of Tito Puentes "El Rey del Timbal" features salsero Gilberto Santa Rosa up front. Passionate, fiery, and hooky, Escovedos galloping timbales solo is framed by driving montunos and swinging horns. Her own songs on this set include "Gente Buena" with Victor Manuelle on vocals. The happiest track here, its a key playlist component for a beach or dance party. Her "The Way You Do," featuring Jean Rodriguez on lead vocals, is a gorgeous fusion of Latin soul, funk, and salsa. "Mi Amor" is a vehicle for Sheila E.s lead vocals and Mykal Gabriels Spanish guitar playing. It melds bolero, son, soul, and funk with hard-swinging horns and backing vocals. She takes another lead on the co-written "Playa Tequila," wedding Latin soul, funk, tropical, and salsa underscored by a transcendent vocal chorus. "Descarga" is an Afro-Latin jam that includes dad Pete, mom Juanita Escovedo, and Dominican salsa legend Jose Alberto "El Canario." Son, montuno, guaracha, and rhumba envelope one another as horns engage drums and chanting to close it out. The exceptional playing, arranging, songwriting, and joyous performances on Bailar easily register this album as an exceptional Sheila E. outing, certainly, but also one of the years finest salsa albums. ~ Thom Jurek