December 2004

http://www.hispaniconline.com/magazine/2004/dec/Cultura/music.html

New Grooves to Swing By
Great musical choices for the holiday gift season.
By Mark Holston

Young Puerto Rican percussionist Paoli Mejías, a veteran of sessions led by such legends as Tito Puente, Dave Valentín, Marc Anthony, and Luis Enrique, steps out on his own on one of the season’s most enjoyable releases, Mi Tambor, on the leader’s own label (available at www.paolimejias.com). Mejías’ dazzling percussion flourishes provide a dense rhythmic backdrop for such guests as saxophonists David Sánchez and Miguel Zenón and pianist Luis Perdomo. Some tracks are solo forays, while others tap folkloric roots before revealing their more contemporary leanings. An inventive remake of the Puente-penned Santana hit “Oye como va” is frosting on the cake.