Review: Roberto Fonseca: La Gran Diversión
Pianist Roberto Fonseca has long had an international reputation as one of the hottest products of the Cuban music scene. He gained this respect early on through his performances with Buena Vista Social Club, the Havana Cultura project and numerous international tours, displaying a prodigious musicianship honed in Havana’s superb music colleges. For some years he has been a director of Cuba’s annual international Jazz Plaza festival.
Previous albums have explored Brazilian, North African and European classical styles, as well as celebrating the US jazz of such greats as John Coltrane. His last album ‘Yesun’ explored the African elements which run deep throughout Cuban culture.
Roberto was born in Havana in 1975 and was drumming by the age of 4. He hails from a musical family and his mother is still a professional singer. He always listened to a wide variety of music in his home – he is a capable classical pianist. “But,” he opines, “I’d rather converse with the people.”
His new album ‘La Gran Diversion’ does just that. Essentially it is a journey through his personal life story in musical form, with spiritual themes, instrumentals and lots of dance. It is an ode to the rich Cuban music of the 1920s and 30s. Throughout the album Fonseca and his superb band move seamlessly through a mix of timeless Cuban rhythms: son, mambo, both Yoruba and congo, infused with jazz, R&B and funk.
The opener ‘Yanim’ is a perfect start – a cool groove which soon breaks out into a tasty cha cha cha, giving Fonseca the chance to dazzle and invite us into his musical world. ‘Sal al Malecón’ is full of melody and twisting rhythm. It sounds like a Cuban classic, although it is another of Fonseca’s own masterly compositions, recalling the great Cuban jam sessions which lit up the Havana clubs back in the day.
What is most notable is that Fonseca now sounds like he is in total command, at home with any style he cares to explore: his beloved mambo (‘Mani mambo’ features a funky vocal in English), salsa (the irresistible ‘Cuando tu bailas pa’ mí’), dreamy slow bolero (‘Mercedes’, after his mother) and the jazz of pianist Oscar Peterson (‘Oscar please stop’) which, apart from being a wonderful homage to the Canadian master, manages to match him note for note. The album concludes with a deep Afro-Cuban theme, strong, proud and full of life.
This joyful album is Roberto’s invitation to the dance: the cover art features him at the piano, his band in the groove and his audience moving like never before. ‘La Gran Diversión’ is a triumph and essential listening (and dancing) for all fans of great Cuban music.
Dave Willetts for CubaSi Autumn 2023 magazine
