| Jazz |
A Journey Through Latin Jazz and Innovation
If Mi Hogar I was already a Coup de Cœur for me—read my review here on Paris Move—then this second installment is, in my view, an “Indispensable”. With Mi Hogar II, Rachel Therrien ventures far beyond her passion for Latin music, offering a deeply personal form of jazz fusion in which she gives her very best throughout the album. Accompanied by an impressive ensemble of outstanding musicians, she crafts a work of rare intensity and refinement:
- Rachel Therrien (Trumpet & Flugelhorn – All Tracks)
- Michel Medrano Brindis (Drums – All Tracks)
- Manuel Valera (Piano – Tracks 1, 5), Danae Olano (Piano – Tracks 2, 4, 6)
- Willy Soto Barreto (Piano – Track 3), Andy Rubal (Piano – Track 7)
- John Benitez (Bass – Tracks 1, 5), Roberto Riveron (Bass – Tracks 2, 4, 6)
- Luis Izquierdo (Bass – Track 3), Alex Bellegarde (Bass – Track 7)
- Lazaro Martinez (Congas – Track 3), Arturo Zegarra (Bongos – Track 3)
- Keisel Jimenez (Congas – Track 1, Timbales – Track 5), Carlos Maldonado (Bongos – Track 1, Congas – Track 5)
- Magdelys Savigne (Batas – Track 2, Congas – Tracks 4, 6)
- Diomer Gonzalez (Congas & Tambora – Track 7)
- Elizabeth Rodriguez (Violin – Tracks 2, 4, 6, 7)
- Ivan Renta (Sax – Tracks 1, 5), Nestor Rodriguez (Sax – Track 3)
- Rafi Malkiel (Trombone – Tracks 1, 5)
From the fiery rhythms of changüí in Fiestas Campesinas de Benítez to the poignant bolero Sueños de Cambios featuring OKAN, Mi Hogar II offers a deep dive into the traditions of Latin jazz. Among the album’s highlights is Mambo ‘Chucho’ Influenciado, a powerful arrangement interweaving compositions from jazz legends Chucho Valdés and Paquito D’Rivera, as well as Back Home, a thoughtful reflection on the profound ties between jazz and Latin music.
But Therrien does not stop there. At times embracing elements of progressive and minimalist music, her compositions and arrangements have matured, becoming incredibly precise. Unshackled from conventional forms, her music exudes a sense of artistic liberation that deserves nothing but praise.
This liberation is not merely aesthetic it is profound, as Rachel Therrien herself expresses in Spanish, French, and English:
“¡Mi Hogar es mi comunidad y también la música!”
“Este disco fue grabado con amor, pasión y respeto junto con una parte de mi gran familia musical que me acompaña desde hace veinte años.”
“Mi Hogar veut dire ma maison, et celle-ci c’est ma communauté, c’est aussi la musique !”
“Cet album a été enregistré avec amour, passion et respect aux côtés d’une partie de ma grande famille musicale qui m’accompagne depuis vingt ans.”
“Mi Hogar means my home, and my home is my community, it’s also music!”
“This album was recorded with love, passion, and respect alongside some of my great musical family that has been with me for the past twenty years.”
Undoubtedly, this is one of the most accomplished and exhilarating albums of this first quarter of 2025. If you are in Canada, New York, or Cuba, don’t miss the chance to experience it live.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, February 28th 2025
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Rachel Terrien in concert:
March 9 – La Havane, Cuba (to be confirmed)
March 13 – New York, NY – Hogar II album release party @Drom
March 15 – New York, NY – w/Camila Cortina @The Roxy Hotel
March 16 – New York, NY – w/ALJO @Birdland Jazz Club
All other dates HERE