On this intriguing set, flutist and soprano saxophonist Jane Bunnett explores music from the Guantánamo region of Cuba, music originally brought to the area from Haiti and West Africa. Bunnett's group infuses the exciting styles with jazz improvising and, due to the inclusion of Jumpin' Johnny Sansone on guitar, harmonica, accordion, and vocals, a dose of the blues and New Orleans rhythms. There is a great deal of variety to this set, ranging from the folkloric music of the voice and percussion ensembles Grupo Changui de Santiago and Grupo Changui de Guantanamo to the brilliant tenor saxophone playing of Dewey Redman, the contributions of Howard Johnson on tuba, and Bunnett's regular group with trumpeter Larry Cramer. While some numbers are dominated by vocals, even those pieces generally include interplay with the horns. For jazz listeners, the instrumentals are of greatest interest, as is the mixture of styles and idioms. Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Dewey Redman (Guest Appearance), John McIntyre (Video Images), Jumpin' Johnny Sansone (Harmonica), Jalidan Ruiz Castro (Conga), Kevin Breit (Guest Appearance), Howard Glover "Johnny" Johnson (Guest Appearance), Jane Bunnett (Sax (Soprano)), Jumpin' Johnny Sansone (Accordion), Jeff McCulloch (Mixing), John McIntyre (Liner Notes), Larry Cramer (Producer), Jumpin' Johnny Sansone (Vocals), Tiburon Morales (Guest Appearance), Kevin Breit (Guitar), Dewey Redman (Sax (Tenor)), José Olivares Perez (Marimbula), Jumpin' Johnny Sansone (Guest Appearance), David Virelles (Piano), Jeff McCulloch (Engineer), Tiburon Morales (Vocals), Jane Bunnett (Liner Notes), Jane Bunnett (Flute), Howard Glover "Johnny" Johnson (Tuba), Larry Cramer (Mixing), Larry Cramer (Liner Notes), Kieran Overs (Bass (Acoustic)), Larry Cramer (Trumpet)
