Omar Puente - Best Foot Forward (2016)

If the electric violin is an acquired taste, it is one very quickly acquired in Omar Puente's case. A classically trained violinist from Santiago de Cuba, Puente's credits run from Nigel Kennedy to Rubén González. Now based in West Yorkshire, he plays regularly with Courtney Pine, who produced his previous solo album From There To Here. Recorded in ‘Studiosonic full dimensional stereo,’ Best Foot Forward creates a mood reminiscent of Jean-Luc Ponty's African-themed Tchokola, while incorporating a whole range of other influences: from Cuba and Brazil to Europe. There's even a little reggae in ‘Debbie's One Drop’, a number dedicated to Puente's late wife. Such eclecticism could have resulted in a mish-mash, but Puente is backed by a fine multinational sextet, enhanced by guests such as trombonist Dennis Rollins (on the album's opener, the stirring ‘Danza de los Spiritus’); and the violinist's tasteful playing and compositional talents combine to create a jazzy fusion that keeps you on your toes. The lovely hymn-like ‘Mandela’, for instance, is quickly followed by the itchy funk of ‘Yes Man Why Not’. Omar Puente has indeed put his best foot forward – to create an album that's varied, compelling and very convincing.