Buscando La Vida - Henry Cole & Villa Locura - CD

The New Jazz Works endowment (2020) allowed Cole to broaden his vision and unleash his "Superpowers." The result is Buscando La Vida, created under enormously challenging conditions. “Death became the word of the day," writes Cole in the liner notes, "the Death of humans, work, faith, plans, bank accounts and so much more. In the middle of so much death, I decided to look for Life.”

The result is a work, rooted in Jazz with elements of Funk, Rap, R&B, and Afrobeat augmented by the artistry of vocalists (rapper) Negro Gonzalez, vocalist Duke Amayo (of Antibalas), and the Netherlands-based multiple Grammy-winning jazz and pop orchestra Metropole Orkest.

Buscando La Vida consists of eight original tracks, penned by Cole.

No Estamos Solos (We are Not Alone) – A reflection on unexpectedly crossing paths with like-minded people and realizing, we are not alone.

Y en Sueños te Persigo (And in Dreams I Chase You) – The tune speaks to being so obsessed with a vision, the creator pursues it in dreams.

Dime Donde Estas (Tell Me Where You Are), and H.C.S. – Is dedicated to Cole’s estranged father, Henry Cole Simon.

De Frente (Head On) – A meditation on confronting and taking responsibility for one’s life plus the “good” and “bad” qualities.

Azul Turquesa (Blue Turquoise) – A Love song dedicated to the color, turquoise.

Shinobi – Dedicated to the figure of the Ninja. This speaks to the ability to develop a “killer” instinct ability without sacrificing one’s essence.

Vueltas (Turns) – The composition pays homage to the community that created the Delta Blues and its relation to the Puerto Rican Jibaro, and the "gatekeeper" to our hearts.

ALBUM PERSONNEL

Henry Cole – Drums, Synths, Rhodes, The Metropole Orkest, Jahaziel Garcia – Trumpet, Jonathan Acevedo – Tenor Sax, Andrew Gutauskas – Baritone Sax, Kalani Trinidad – Flute, Benito Díaz – French Horn (3-4) , Randy Roman – Trombone (3-4), Giovanny De La Rosa – Guitar, Javier Perez – Guitar, Ricardo Rodriguez – Bass, Emanuel Rivera Gambaro – Keyboards, Synths. Alberto “Beto” Torrens – Baril, Bryant Huffman – Chekere, Duke Amayo – Main Vocals (8) Negro Gonzalez – Main Vocals (5),- Antoinette Rodriguez, Melissa Orsini, Dayanira Arzuaga, Genesis Z. Cordero - Backup Vocals (8).