Ricano, by Jonathan Suazo, is an Afro-Caribbean experience that presents themes of exploration, fusion, integration, community, and self-acceptance. Furthermore, this project is about sharing and celebrating the coexistence of Afro Puerto Rican and Afro Dominican styles of music by bringing the audience into a cross cultural fusion container of his roots and his many musical influences.

Both of these traditions are beautiful in every way, they contain uplifting chants, captivating lyrics, as well as dance and improvisational elements that are deeply connected to the unique ancestry of each island (Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic).

Ergo, this brand new album represents a transformational chapter in Jonathan’s life. It opens a new door that he is sure will span many incarnations. The process of searching, embracing, loving, celebrating and sharing all of what we are as multidimensional beings is something he can’t recommend enough. For it has given him a huge source of inspiration. Of which he truly hopes these sounds resonate with you also.

1. ¡Somos más que tú! (7:29)
2. Héroes (6:57)
3. Esperanza pa’ mi pueblo (6:43)
4. Verde Luz (8:46)
5. AFRO DOMI (4:37)
6. Don’t Take Kindly (6:11)
7. Ser de Aquí (3:42)
8. Seguimos Luchando (7:36)
9. Dharma (8:30)
10. Amapola (4:38)

This beautifully cultivated, and wholly impassioned new recording opens on the spirited ¡Somos más que tú! and the hearty Héroes, and then we are brought forth the beautiful hipsway found within Esperanza pa’ mi pueblo, and then comes the stirringly fervent Verde Luz and the bedazzling AFRO DOMI.

Next up is the joyously hued Don’t Take Kindly and the elegant piano track Ser de Aquí, and that is itself backed by the atmospherically-charged Seguimos Luchando, the album rounding out on the gently rambunctious, near nine minute Dharma, concluding on the veritably shimmering balladry of Amapola.

Suazo threads each track on the album with enveloping chants, curiosity-piquing lyrics and elements of dance and improvisational elements - all inseparable from the traditions of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

www.jonathansuazo.net