Santiago de Cuba native Armando Garzón possesses a stunning tenor voice that places him among the foremost of contemporary interpreters of Latin American romantic song. Escándalo is a sublime essay on Cuban danzón-cha, trova, filin and the Mexican-style bolero pioneered by legendary masters Trio Los Panchos and Los Tres Ases. Musical director Carlos Elis Ávila (tres) engages in an exquisite interplay with Trio Sentimental stalwarts Alex Álvarez (Mexican requinto guitar, vocals), Daniel Chávez (guitar, vocals) and Alex Rivera (vocals, güiro, claves). Quinteto de la Trova director Alexis Rojas (double bass), Bernadino Danger (timbales) and Carlos Izquierdo (congas, bongos) provide rock-solid rhythmic backing. Garzón breathes a smoldering passion into such classics as "Flor De Ausencia," "Si Me Comprendieras," Sindo Garay's "Guarina" (in poignant a cappella style), Puerto Rican composer Rafael Hernández's delightful "Capullito De Alhelí," and three ageless boleros by Mexican composer Álvaro Carillo: "La Mentira," "Eso," and "Sabor A Mí." - Michael Stone
Santiago de Cuba native Armando Garzón possesses a stunning tenor voice that places him among the foremost of contemporary interpreters of Latin American romantic song. Escándalo is a sublime essay on Cuban danzón-cha, trova, filin and the Mexican-style bolero pioneered by legendary masters Trio Los Panchos and Los Tres Ases. Musical director Carlos Elis Ávila (tres) engages in an exquisite interplay with Trio Sentimental stalwarts Alex Álvarez (Mexican requinto guitar, vocals), Daniel Chávez (guitar, vocals) and Alex Rivera (vocals, güiro, claves). Quinteto de la Trova director Alexis Rojas (double bass), Bernadino Danger (timbales) and Carlos Izquierdo (congas, bongos) provide rock-solid rhythmic backing. Garzón breathes a smoldering passion into such classics as "Flor De Ausencia," "Si Me Comprendieras," Sindo Garay's "Guarina" (in poignant a cappella style), Puerto Rican composer Rafael Hernández's delightful "Capullito De Alhelí," and three ageless boleros by Mexican composer Álvaro Carillo: "La Mentira," "Eso," and "Sabor A Mí." - Michael Stone