I could claim to have reviewed Johnny G. Reo and Rolando Rojas on a chilly night at Schooner Wharf, but I'd be lying. It was brrrrrrrrr cold, frigid, in fact. Very few players could bring me out on such a night, but these two could and did. If I ever saw a Latin heart throb, it is Rolando Rojas. If I ever saw a Latin superstar, it would also be Rolando. This isa multi talented singer, pianist, and showman. Rolando spent his childhood in a Chilean conservatory, so his technique is marvelous. Johnny G. Reo is one of the best drummers on the planet. Together they are dynamite!
Salsa, merengue, bolero, anybody? Reo and Rojas will thrill your socks off, I guarantee. This handsome twosome has taste and talent enough to satisfy anybody. Mr. Reo's rhythms are so infectious, your feet will not behave. I would put him in a studio anytime. He also plays with the Redheaded Blues Band, and is the funkiest drummer you'll ever hear. In this configuration he has a percussion track to add spice to his fantastic chops. Rolando has sequenced a bass line as well, and a few other parts on some tunes, including self harmony for some of the vocals.
They began with "I Need To Know", an emotional killer that will tear your heart out. Rolando plays horns on his keyboard that sound like..................horns! Imagine that. The next offering was a smoking merengue that brought dancers out on the gravel. A couple of great looking ladies showed us how it is done. Johnny G. played an incredible solo. He often reminds me of the late John Bonham, but more disciplined and artistic. A song from Cuba was irresistable. More dancers on the gravel. Rolando can dance too. This is such a joyous energy. We had all forgotten about the cold. I was in deja vu heaven. As a child I was sent to dancing school where the first dances I learned were rhumbas, cha cha's, bossa nova's, the sultry tango, and, would you believe, clogging?
Rolando Rojas has a great voice and sings as if his heart was laying in pieces on the stage. His wonderful synthesized sounds are showcased by Johnny G.'s artistry. "Santana's "Maria, Maria" was beyond romantic. You can compare these two to anyone and they'll come out equal or better, and there are only two of them. In Espagnol or English, Rolando will knock you out. We hear a song from Columbia that can only be described as 'happy music'. There are few about whom I'd say this, but I'm glad to see Rolando use his tracks, which allow him to really sing.
Instrumental Latin funk is hot with impressive chops all over the place. Johnny G. does a long solo. He is one of those players you could start with a metronome, go out to lunch, and come back, turn it on and find him dead on the beat. This man will never need a click track. Rolando plays some really raunchy horn sounds on this one. Then Rolando sings "Just Another Day Without You". Our classically trained player has his rock thing down! I love the smiling faces I see hanging in through the cold.
Mark my words, star of tomorrow. Go listen and see for yourself. Schooner Wharf and Cafe Cayo Hueso (El Meson de Pepe). Call to see when.
Stay cool.