"The blending of Latin music with jazz harmony and improvisation has produced more than a mere hybrid, as a survey of New York's younger players would reveal. Manuel Valera, a Cuban pianist in his mid-20's, illustrates that evolution handily: postbop and classical romanticism are as integral to his vocabulary as Latin folk forms, and they all find natural expression in his music."
--Nate Chinen, New York Times
"Valera’s sophisticated compositions, and his deft, light touch with strings, stimulate consistently intriguing solos. Blake, especially on soprano, is a voice both affectingly plaintive and articulate. Valera makes one powerful piano statement after another, his speed and complexity and chiming touch always building a story."
--Thomas Conrad, Jazztimes
"Here’s a Cuban pianist who lives up to all the buzz about the rad chops flaunted by many of New York’s young Caribbean jazzers."
--Jim Macnie, Village Voice
"It may be rare to hear a 23-year-old with the exploratory interests and tender touch of Valera, but it's an unalloyed pleasure to discover a young man so accomplished that his potential seems boundless. Pianist-composer Manuel Valera is, indeed, prime mover of this Forma Nueva."
--Howard Mandel, President, Jazz Journalists Association, Writer for Down Beat and Jazz Times
"His Forma Nueva heralds the arrival of an important Latin jazz pianist."
--Nat Chediak, Jazziz
"He is endowed with a profound talent and rich progressive jazz-latin ideas… and offers the portrait of an exceptional young artist emerging as a leader."
--Jesse Varela, LatinBeat
"He is a deeply thematic player, often building longer lines from small motifs. But as much as Forma Nueva is a vehicle for his playing, it is also a showcase for his fine writing. Valera’s personal incorporation of Cuban and other ethnic Latin styles into a contemporary post bop context assures him a distinguished place."
--John Kelman, All About Jazz
"This cd serves proof that Manuel Valera is a brilliant and potential great pianist."
--Allmusic, By Scott Yanow
"Manuel Valera will be one to watch, as his initial recording as a leader was one of the most welcome arrivals on the jazz scene of 2004."
--Ken Dryden, The Pulse
"This is arguably the disc to prick up the ears of any discerning jazz piano fan."
--John Stevenson, Ejazznews
"An accomplished debut that makes you want to hear more."
--Peter Watrous, Descarga.com
"Valera brings considerable talent to the table as shown on this first offering."
--Jay Collins, One Final Note
--Nate Chinen, New York Times
"Valera’s sophisticated compositions, and his deft, light touch with strings, stimulate consistently intriguing solos. Blake, especially on soprano, is a voice both affectingly plaintive and articulate. Valera makes one powerful piano statement after another, his speed and complexity and chiming touch always building a story."
--Thomas Conrad, Jazztimes
"Here’s a Cuban pianist who lives up to all the buzz about the rad chops flaunted by many of New York’s young Caribbean jazzers."
--Jim Macnie, Village Voice
"It may be rare to hear a 23-year-old with the exploratory interests and tender touch of Valera, but it's an unalloyed pleasure to discover a young man so accomplished that his potential seems boundless. Pianist-composer Manuel Valera is, indeed, prime mover of this Forma Nueva."
--Howard Mandel, President, Jazz Journalists Association, Writer for Down Beat and Jazz Times
"His Forma Nueva heralds the arrival of an important Latin jazz pianist."
--Nat Chediak, Jazziz
"He is endowed with a profound talent and rich progressive jazz-latin ideas… and offers the portrait of an exceptional young artist emerging as a leader."
--Jesse Varela, LatinBeat
"He is a deeply thematic player, often building longer lines from small motifs. But as much as Forma Nueva is a vehicle for his playing, it is also a showcase for his fine writing. Valera’s personal incorporation of Cuban and other ethnic Latin styles into a contemporary post bop context assures him a distinguished place."
--John Kelman, All About Jazz
"This cd serves proof that Manuel Valera is a brilliant and potential great pianist."
--Allmusic, By Scott Yanow
"Manuel Valera will be one to watch, as his initial recording as a leader was one of the most welcome arrivals on the jazz scene of 2004."
--Ken Dryden, The Pulse
"This is arguably the disc to prick up the ears of any discerning jazz piano fan."
--John Stevenson, Ejazznews
"An accomplished debut that makes you want to hear more."
--Peter Watrous, Descarga.com
"Valera brings considerable talent to the table as shown on this first offering."
--Jay Collins, One Final Note
"He leaves no doubt that he’s destined to play a role in the future of jazz. Valera shows a keen jazz vocabulary, a gift for creating grooves that invite stellar solo flights from his collaborators and the nerve to romance a melody when it suits him."
--Philip van Vleck, Billboard
--Philip van Vleck, Billboard
Pianist Manuel Valera combines together the influences of Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock with a mastery of Afro-Cuban jazz to form his own fresh style. On this modern mainstream set, Valera excels at both straight-ahead and Latin rhythms. Most selections feature a trio with the brilliant bassist John Patitucci and either Horacio Hernández or Bill Stewart on drums, while four numbers add guest saxophonist Seamus Blake. Varela’s post-bop originals (all but two of the dozen songs are his) tend to be complex, but some are a bit more accessible than expected due to the rhythmic patterns. The tender version of "Say It (Over and Over Again)" is a change of pace and quite memorable. Overall, this CD serves as proof thatManuel Valera, despite not being that well known yet, is a brilliant and potentially great jazz pianist. Recommended. – Scott Yanow
Tracks
01. Metaphorically Speaking (Manuel Valera)
02. Forma Nueva (Manuel Varela)
03. Simplicity (Manuel Varela)
04. Displaced (manuel Valera)
05. Drume Negrita (Eliseo Negret / Arr. Manuel Varela))
06. Prey to Indulgence (Manuel Valera)
07. Abue (Manuel Varela)
08. Nebulism (manuel Varela / Matt Stahlhut)
09. Say It (Over and Over Again) (Jimmy McHugh / Arr. Manuel Valera)
10. En Cinco (manuel Varela)
11. Como NG (manuel Varela)
12. Things Aren’t What They Seem (Manuel Varela)
MANUEL VALERA piano
SEAMUS BLAKE saxophone (1, 3, 6, 12)
JOHN PATITUCCI bass
HORACIO "EL NEGRO" HERNANDEZ drums (2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11)
BILL STEWART drums (1, 3, 6, 8, 9, 12)
Recorded Octuber 2003
Mavo Records MAVO 1101