A duo featuring virtuosic Cuban artists — pianist Alfredo Rodriguez and percussionist Pedrito Martinez, both of whom double as singers — would seem to promise an explosion of heady Afro-Cuban music. And, at times, that’s what Duologue delivers, with the two following the stylistic guideposts cemented decades ago by the pioneering Cuban fusion group Irakere
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The role of Quincy Jones as a co-producer is evident in the inclusion of fare like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” seemingly an odd choice for an Afro-Cuban makeover. The interpretation, however, produces a pleasant session surprise, and the arrangement even includes a brief quote from “El Cumbanchero,” a 1940s-era hit by Puerto Rican composer Rafael Hernandez. The title tune is another example of how the duo fulfills expectations as Rodriguez launches a volley of Cuban keyboard comping styles and Martinez adds a flurry of robust percussion inflections. The album’s most typical performance is the Rodriguez composition “El Punto Cubano,” which is notable for Martinez’s evocative bongo licks and rustic vocal take.
Elsewhere, a panorama of global references are on display. “Flor” recalls 1980s Brazilian fusion innovations while “Mariposa” taps a dreamy New Age vibe. On the whole, Duologue offers a well-played variety of styles not typically explored on Latin-grounded sessions.—Mark Holston https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-AjnF1BdfM