Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Dongfeng Liu release their latest album called: “China Afro Cuba”. The talented and unexpected duo hit the world with a masterful, skillful, and proficient record. “China Afro Cuba” is an extraordinary and marvelous mixture of contemporary Cuban and traditional Chinese music. Somewhere in between Jazz, Classical, Chinese, and Latin music, Rubalcaba’s and Liu’s latest work manages to stay heartwarming, sentimental, and original.
The multi-Grammy Winner, pianist, and composer Gonzalo Rubalcaba who was discovered by Dizzy Gillespie, teams up with the award-winning Jazz pianist and composer Dongfeng Liu to deliver a breathtaking piece of work. “China Afro Cuba” is a highly regarded record, drenched in anticipating beauty, and supreme profoundness. Rubalcaba’s and Liu’s latest album is unlike anything today as it stays authentic, untouched, profound, and proves to create a blend of different influences while staying true to itself.
The harmonies and compositions in “China Afro Cuba” are not the only charms that stand out, as the interchange and friendship in the record are nothing but obvious. It’s almost as if the two gifted pianists are having an imaginative and experimental musical dialogue throughout every track. The rhythm section in “China Afro Cuba” is passionate, tight, and proves to be a bewildering jazz set. The first track: “Jasmine” is a Chinese folk song which originates from the Qianlong period. Rubalcaba and Liu play the high and low parts simultaneously, yet offering differing melodies, and incorporating Bach-like polyphony. “Kangding Love Song” is a funky and groovy track, as the bass graciously moves up and down its frets. This rendition surely portrays Liu’s and Rubalcaba’s canon playing technique. “Lofty Mountains and Flowing Water” is a well-known number in China’s history, and it makes sense that Liu and Rubalcaba chose this piece as it’s inspired by musical friendship. The piano begins with a brilliant reflection of the guqin, and eventually evolves into a section of chacha, which delivers an impressive improvisation. Ultimately the track returns to a restful and pleasant world.
These two remarkable artists create a piano duet album with contrast, timbres, and breathtaking notes. “China Afro Cuba” is an example of what can happen when two friends come together with both aptitude and compassion.”China Afro Cuba” is now available on all streaming platforms, empowering listeners and music lovers to take a dive into the amazing world of Gonzalo Rubalcalba and Dongfeng Liu.
http://www.zohomusic.com/cds/rubalcaba_chinaafrocuba.html
https://www.gonzalorubalcaba.com
https://liudongfeng.com
