via DownBeat October 2023

Timba a la Americana (Blue Note; ★★★★ 41:51) is Cuban pianist and composer Harold López-Nussa’s Blue Note debut and 10th album as a leader. The accomplished winner of the 2005 Montreux Jazz Piano Competition shares 10 tunes shaped by his recent decision to leave his homeland for France. Produced by Michael League, the album highlights the talents of harmonica virtuoso Grégoire Maret, bassist Luques Curtis, conguero Bárbaro “Machito” Crespo, and drummer/López-Nussa’s brother Ruy Adrián. Elements from the danzón (Cuba’s national dance and genre), ancient bata drum rhythms tasked with divine communication, and the ebullient mambo all make their appearance in tunes that despite their complexity, prove to be irresistibly danceable.