Melissa Aldana - Filin (LP)

Tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana’s third Blue Note album, Filin, is a ballad album featuring new versions of songs from Cuba’s Filin music tradition. This popular style from the 1940s to 1960s was strongly influenced by American musicians such as Nat King Cole. The album title is a homophone of the word “feelin’.”

Deeply felt performances showcase Aldana alongside a remarkable quartet consisting of Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Peter Washington on bass, and Kush Abadey on drums, with guest vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant appearing on two tracks. The band also performs pieces by Brazilian composers Hermeto Pascoal (“Little Church”) and Cartola (“Las Rosas No Hablan”).