Irving Flores Afro-Cuban Jazz Sextet: "Armando Mi Conga" (2025) CD Review

Irving Flores is a talented jazz pianist and composer currently based in San Diego. His new album, Armando Mi Conga, is a total joy to listen to. In the liner notes, producer Amanda Flores tells us this album was recorded in two days, with no rehearsals. No rehearsals? That's madness, particularly as the results are incredible. Clearly, there was a bit of magic happening in the studio. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have fantastic musicians. The band is made up of Irving Flores on piano, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez on drums, John Benitez on upright and electric bass, Giovanni Hidalgo on congas, Bryan Lynch on trumpet, and Norbert Stachel on saxophone and clarinet and flute. So, okay, maybe now we can see how this spectacular album came about over the course of two sessions with no rehearsals. The album contains all original material, composed and arranged by Irving Flores. And it is probably exactly what you need to remind you that humanity can be wonderful. We don't get much evidence of that in the political realm, or on social media (if it weren't for bands listing shows on those sites, I would argue it's time to put an end to them), but here it is clear. This music will help you regain your faith in humanity. 

The album opens with its title track, "Armando Mi Conga," which begins with a delicious section of percussion featuring Giovanni Hidalgo. I could listen to those drums all day. After approximately a minute, the song kicks in, and becomes a delightful, fast-paced gem, featuring some excellent work on piano. This track comes alive, eager to wrap us in its joy. And we certainly need that these days. There is a great excitement here, the horns singing and dancing, our souls eager for this sort of dance. And then that piano lead is fantastic. And what a way for it to be introduced, a rapid descent into the unknown. I love it. This music moves so quickly, so swiftly, and with such certainty, that all of my worries are left behind. There's no way they can catch up now. This is a dance that encompasses the entire universe. Can't you just see a comet spinning a distant moon around the dance floor? And it concludes with another section of percussion. I'm not sure there is any way I could be happier.

Then with "Gary En Nanchital" we are engaged in a very different dance, a more intimate dance, but still with a sense of fun. And the piece leads us in some interesting directions, playing with pace and attitude. Let the music take us where it will, for it is a strong character leading this dance, and we are the willing partners, thrilled to be along for the ride. Ah yes, a reminder that we should always let the music be in charge. That piano lead in the middle is absolutely wonderful, a dance of its own, one that gets the gods themselves lined up, eager to follow. And then that drum work beneath it begins to take charge, to demand its own voice be heard. And right when we feel there is going to be an explosion of sorts, the clarinet leads us out of the glorious mayhem into brighter places. And soon after that, the piece concludes. "With Amanda In Favignana" takes us to Italy, a place I've been longing to see for many years. I am determined to get there, though I'll be taking Theresa, not Amanda. The joy, the excitement, the wonder are all here in this track, everything I hope, and expect, to experience. For now, this music can provide me with a special trip of its own. I love that work on trumpet, which seems to create its own world and invites us to take part. And the piano work, while expressing an excitement, also has a great warmth. The percussion keeps everything moving forward. No need to reflect, that will come later. For now, just enjoy the moment, the food, the motion, the beauty.

Then surprisingly, we enter darker, more thoughtful territory at the beginning of "Tramonto A Massa Lubrense," a track that soon develops its own beauty, a beauty that is awash in memory, in desire, in hope and loss. I am quickly immersed in this piece, lost to it. The piano work is gorgeous and expressive. What does it conjure for you? I imagine each of us receives strong images related to our own pasts or hopes. And then after a few minutes, it settles into a somewhat romantic, somewhat magical, late-night vibe, the drums and bass joining the piano. This track is just that trio. In the second half we are treated to a really nice lead on bass. There is a wonderful warmth to the piano work here too, and I love where the piano leads us and leaves us. I am grateful to this music. That is followed by "Music En La Calle." The percussion drives things forward into a place of joy and smiles and dancing. There is a fast pace here, as if we are eager to leave any troubles behind (and aren't we?), and the music makes sure that those are soon forgotten. Who has time or the inclination to reflect on the past when the present is so damn exciting and good? The bass gets a chance to lead, and that is great, but it is the percussion here that is at the center of the action.

"Samba Con Sabor" has an exciting rhythm. And on this track Norbert Stachel plays flute, delivering some excellent work. I like the changes this track undergoes, sometimes entering sweeter territory. Yet even then, pay attention to what the bass is doing, for it still carries a good deal of that excitement into those sections. This track also features a delightful lead on piano, delivered with both power and joy. And then there is a really good lead on bass. And check out the drumming toward the end. That's followed by "Recuerdos." Here the piano leads us into a delightful dance. There is a lightness to the work, and every step is right. Joy and melancholy hold hands here, moving around the room through light and darkness, and if only we can keep moving, remain in motion, the past will not be able to grab us. And perhaps neither will the future. There are moments when we are not certain, but then the dance takes hold again, and we move with determination. The second half of the track takes us into some interesting territory, particularly during that lead on bass, and the piano work that follows it. Some madness has entered this dance, and is welcomed. That's when things become particularly interesting. And then we somehow make it to the other side at the very end. This is a piece that served as the title track to a 2010 release from Irving Flores, that version quite a bit different from this new recording.

There is a great sense of fun to "Dana Point." Part of is in the rhythm, part of it in the magic of the piano. And then that lead by Brian Lynch on trumpet carries us into a brighter realm, while the percussion keeps our bodies moving. It's like our minds and bodies are separated, but both are moving in the same direction. And Norbet Stachel delivers an interesting and wonderful lead on baritone saxophone. In the second half of the track the drums are completely unleashed. What a great joy. The album then concludes with a different version of "With Amanda In Favignana," this one a solo piano piece by Irving Flores. This is a beautiful rendition, expressing joy and warmth and magic, like a wonderful dream.

CD Track List

1. Armando Mi Conga
2. Gary En Nanchital
3. With Amanda In Favignana
4. Tramonto A Massa Lubrense
5. Music En La Calle
6. Samba Con Sabor
7. Recuerdos
8. Dana Point
9. Amanda In Favignana (Solo Piano)

Armando Mi Conga was released on August 26, 2025.