Mango Blue and Manguito

Old Town School of Folk Music , Chicago IL,  9 May 2012
Latino Arts , Milwaukee, WI,  11 May 2012

(All photos and review by Bill Tilford, all rights reserved)

     Mango Blue is an international collective of musicians based in Boston and led by Quito-born bassist/vocalist/composer Alex Alvear.  Other members are Ernesto Diaz (congas/vocals), Gonzalo Grau (keyboards/percussion/vocals), Manolo Mairena (percussion/vocals), David Rivera (drums), Felipe Salles (tenor sax), Jared Sims (alto sax) and Yuriana Sobrino (timbales/congas/vocals).  Although the group draws heavily from both traditional and modern Cuban music, it also incorporates forms from the rest of Latin America (especially Puerto Rico, Colombia and Ecuador) and adds elements of rock, funk and blues.  The final result places Mango Blue in the new wave of music that isn't easily labeled (rather like Mezcla, Interactivo and similar groups that the Latin Recording Academy will probably now refer to as "Tropical Fusion"). 
     The Old Town School of Folk Music set used a quintet unit (minus the drum kit and saxophones) named Manguito.  This concert drew heavily from Afrocuban guaguancó and son material, including a nice Adalberto Alvarez cover (Son para un Sonero)   that showcased Manolo Mairena's vocal chops. Another highlight was a nice jam on the classic Almendra.   Parts of this set had a vibe that reminded us a little of Cachao's legendary descargas in late 50s/early 60s, but there were more modern touches as well, especially after Alex changed up from percussion to bass. This concert showcased the depth of the ensemble's percussion and vocal chops.  
     The Latino Arts performance brought on the full band and also opened with some Afrocuban material but featured much more of the full scope of the bands extensive range of influences.   Many of the pieces from their most recent (and excellent) CD Mango  were featured.   Some of the many highlights included the funk (with just a dash of bugalu) cumbia Ernestico , a funk cinco, a rousing Plena Blue and a nueva trova-type song Algun Día.   In addition to the songs that overtly evoke Andean motifs, Alex's compositions often subtly weave interesting elements from his roots into other styles (the OTS performance included a lot of covers, but the Latino Arts performance was mostly original material) as well as a strong dose of Latin Funk.  The saxophones also had an opportunity to show their Jazz chops during the Latino Arts concert. 
Both sets were a lot of fun, and we'll be writing more about this group and its musicians in the near future.
Mango Blue's website is http://alexalvearandmangoblue.bandcamp.com/