I enjoy Nils' recording very much, and I already have listened to the recording a lot. I like the unique and very interesting concept!  One can feel the joy Nils had putting everything together, and the music is very well rehearsed. 

All the classic songs Nils chose were in the hit parades back then, which brings a lot of great memories back to me. The arrangements are very refreshing – as are the innovative coros and the heavy and tasteful brass arrangements.

Many bands nowadays just copy the old stuff but Nils and his musicians have really created something new. Nils' conga playing is great, I especially love the unexpected rhythmic interlude in Ariñañara and then how smoothly the coro comes in...beautiful! 

  People should hear this. Congratulations, Nils - ¡Que Chévere!

Joe Cuba, 

New York City

The Joe Cuba Sextette was always known for tight vocal harmonies, in your face rhythm and intricate cierres (breaks). On this heartfelt tribute, Nils takes things up a notch enhancing the classic Joe Cuba vibe sound by adding horns and making the rhythm section even more explosive with his great playing and musical direction. Mambo with a touch of jazz is still the hippest dance music around and I'm glad musicians like Nils are here to remind us of that. Bravo mi hermano!!!

Bobby Sanabria

Nils, you are blessed with this great album dedicated to Joe Cuba. Great job, modern arrangements...should sell well! Best of luck, keep up the great work. God bless.

Eddie Montalvo

This record is special and needs to be listened by everybody .In my opinion the match between the forceful punch of the percussion and the melodic intention of the brass combined with the contrapuntal writing makes a surprising listening experience. Hope you get to hear it soon...

Jon Fausty

With this brilliantly conceived and performed tribute to one of Salsa’s unsung heroes – Joe Cuba – percussionist Nils Fischer not only displays his absolute command of the genre, he gives us all of the energy and intensity one could ask for in a highly danceable and musically compelling debut album. 

Each and every track explodes with fire, and showcases the enormous talent that lies on European shores. Featured trumpeter and Eddie Palmieri veteran Brian Lynch, lends his powerful punch to several tunes, and Nueva Manteca's pianist and musical director/arranger Jan Hartong brings grace and elegance to his take on the Latin Jazz-infused “Llegué.” Fischer’s conga-playing is crisp and exuberant, and works spot-on with the all-star cast, including former Issac Delgado bassist Alaín Pérez, whose in-your-face playing and arranging get you out of your seat in a heartbeat.  Another force to be reckoned with is the monstrously talented pianist and arranger Marc Bischoff, who combines his impeccable technique with his thorough love of timba-infused grooves on several cuts on the album.  

The selection of tunes ranges from old-school to modern, yet there is a unifying force behind the album that demonstrates Fischer’s sense of rhythmic joy – he is having a blast, and so is every single musician on the date!  To top it off, legendary recording engineer Jon Fausty lends his superb touch to the post-production in another exquisite mix and mastering job.  

¡Gracias Joe Cuba! is a testament to the power music has to reach every corner of the globe; with this truly international effort, Nils Fischer will garner the respect of dancers and musicians alike, and keep them asking for more!

Rebeca Mauleón

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