Harold López-Nussa - Te Lo Dije

For his latest album, Cuban jazz pianist Harold López-Nussa pays tribute to popular music of the island.

“Te Lo Dije!” [I told you so!] Harold López-Nussa seems to brag from the CD cover of his new record. Te Lo Dije is the ninth album from the Cuban pianist who tours regularly in France.

The previous (and terrific) Un Dia Cualquiera was recorded in the United States. From the first moment here, it’s obvious that we’ve returned to Havana. “Bocadito de Helado!” is the call of the ice cream man, the intoxicating recording that plays everywhere throughout the capital. These are the kinds of street noises that Alfonso Peña, one of the best sound engineers in his country, weaves into “Habana Sin Sábanas.” For this overture, which can be translated as “Havana Without Makeup,” Harold López-Nussa introduces his new quartet instead of the trio that we are used to.

A new formula for an eclectic album. Beside Harold’s brother, the impressive drummer Ruy Adrián, we have the trumpeter Mayquel González and the electric bass of Julio César González. Julio César brings the combo away from traditional music, while Mayquel steers it toward jazz. These musicians know each other well from playing together in the López-Nussa Family, which also stars Harold’s father Ruy, and Ernán, his renowned uncle, drummer and pianist.