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Origen Records
Percussionist Arturo Stable and his bandmates have created a gem in Call, which blends the Afro-Cuban rhythms of his homeland with other strong influences from around the globe, but most notably the bebop tradition and intensity that remains the bedrock of jazz.
Ken Franckling
On “Call”, Stable takes Afro-Cuban rhythms and creates a lush and elegant romanticism. His percussive statements are never overpowering. They simply add sort of a hypnotic Latin tribal spice to elegantly layered and dreamily textured soundscape laid down by Pianist Aruan Ortiz, bassist Edward Perez, saxophonist Javier Vercher and drummer Francisco Mela.
Probably one of the best jazz albums of the year.
Alonso Weston
Stable and his group make a distinctly modern statement on CALL that smartly draws upon both Cuban ideals and modern jazz performance techniques. As a composer, Stable remains distinctly aware of context and intention in his pieces, creating statements that powerfully capture emotion. The use of Cuban rhythms and instruments enable the completion of these pieces, but they certainly don’t drive their character. The musicians remain aware of the clave, but they treat it with a respectful flexibility - Stable’s themes and compositional concepts take top priority in these pieces. This change in approach is most evident in the pieces where clave disappears altogether; although the musicians are making a switch into a different rhythmic structure, the pieces still sound like Stable compositions. He changes gears at several points, expressing himself on several levels while holding onto his Cuban background. The percussionist’s integration of world sounds signal an awareness of a more global perspective, placing his identity as a Cuban musician in a larger picture. Stable’s group supports his music with a fiery intensity, displaying a passionate understanding of the composer’s modern viewpoint.
Chip Boaz
Typically, a Latin jazz group led by its percussionist would mean one thing: explosive Afro-Cuban rhythms in a boisterous, celebratory atmosphere. But the boundaries of the music have been expanding exponentially in recent years, and 34-year-old Arturo Stable is a prime example of how the influence of his native Cuba is being woven into a far more colorful tapestry than ever before. Stable's musicianship is subtle and textured, and his compositions possess an elegant romanticism culled from classical music.
Shaun Brady
