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Richard Kamins calls the album, “Truly a delightful listening experience."

Nate Chinen says, "Hyperacute technique meets folkloric timbre in the music of Emi Makabe."

Reviewer Carlo Wolff calls the album, "a joy to hear."

The album is a set of eleven of Emi's original compositions, which blend pop and Japanese folk melodies with cross-cultural instrumentation and jazz improvisation.

The album features a seven part suite of music based on the poetry of famed Cuban writer José Martí set for two wonderful vocalists, Sofia Rei and Camila Meza, along with a stellar band of New York improvisers who bring Valera's vision to life.

Listen to “Odio La Mascara Y El Vicio,” on the Afro-Cuban Icons and All-Stars playlist.

This track features vocalist Camila Meza, saxophonist Roman Filiu, and trombonist Andy Clausen.

"Si Quiere Que De Este Mundo," is being featured on playlists by Spotify, Amazon Music, and TIDAL.

This track features vocalist Sofia Rei as well as solos by Manuel Valera, Michael Rodriguez, Andrew Gutauskas, and Jimmy Macbride.

Manuel provides some insights into how his new big band record came to be.

The album features a seven part suite of music based on the poetry of famed Cuban writer José Martí set for two wonderful vocalists, Sofia Rei and Camila Meza.

This big band debut features new Valera compositions inspired by famed Cuban writer José Martí.