Latin Vocal Explosion

Lucas van Merwijk & his Cubop City Big Band

Latin Vocal Explosion
A party from start to finish

De Volkskrant
Frank van Herk October 12, 2006,

The Latin jazz ensemble of percussionist Lucas van Merwijk celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2005 with a series of concerts that showed what the band is so good at, but which also offered something extra.
In addition to regular singer Yma America, two guest vocalists, Izaline Calister and Lilian Vieira, were also invited, and the repertoire was considerably broadened. The clavés, the cogs of odd and even time signatures, have always been good, and even now the five-member rhythm section rumbles on with crushing power.

The wind instruments are among the best the Netherlands has to offer, especially in big band circles; they coat the dazzling arrangements with that combination of tightness and relaxation that makes the genre so infectious, and supplement them with spicy solos.

America takes care of the salsa numbers with her strong and exuberant voice, but the somewhat more butterfly-like Calister and Vieira excel in rhythms and lyricism from Curaçao and Brazil, by greats such as Rudy Plaate, Djavan and Jorge Ben. This provides variety and resting points between all the brass violence, and makes this live recording a party from start to finish.