As the band began thumping powerful sounds into our hearts, you could sense the energy of the room elevating. It was intense, whether the music was from the Latin side, the funky side or the mellow side. Especially interesting was the exchange Jalidan Ruiz Castro and Baró began on a tune called “African Escape”. The free-flowing percussions were persistent throughout the tune and beautifully complemented by Robi Botos’ amazing talents on the keys and Baró’s command of the trumpet. It was later when I talked to Baró that I discovered the interesting story behind this particular tune. It was influenced by regular hospital visits he would make with his wife to monitor her pregnancy and listen to amplified sounds of their son’s heartbeat.

In fact, it is evident throughout Baró’s compositions, as it is I suppose with many musicians, that there is a story behind every tune. For Baró, this displays the many influences he has had as a musician and his ability to connect to the simplest of sounds and augment them with his talents and those of the musicians he works with. It speaks of his humility not to over-compose a tune and let the rhythm define itself.

“Wake-up Call” was influenced by some time Baró spent touring in Trinidad and is a fun breezy tune. Jeff King played some outstanding tenor sax on this one! The night moved from the Latin side to the funky side, from upbeat and lively compositions to mellow and introspective rhythms. As was the case when the band moved into a most passionate and funky tune called “Why not”. This was mysterious, deep and reflective. It was a dynamic balance of force and tranquility that Baró and the amazing Rich Brown on bass delivered impeccably. Another meditative tune followed called “Transitions” that began with smooth exchanges between Botos and Baró, and then moved to an upbeat groove made possible by the unrelenting hands, elbows, and even arms (it seems) of Ruiz Castro on percussions. “Unexpected Muse” closed the first set. It was the funky side of Alexis Baró, a tune full of energy and an unstoppable pounding from Chendy Leon on drums. And it left you wanting more.

As the band came back and played “Venus Atmosphere”, two thoughts came to mind: This tune should be on the next James Bond soundtrack! And, who is the guitarist? I had never heard of KC Roberts before and now I’m not sure why. Roberts’ skills were mean and authoritative and they made this first-rate tune even more electric.

The second set continued to prove the diversity of Baró’s influences and talents. In “Panorama” he brought back some Latin influences like the use of the clave throughout the tune. The title track “From the Other Side” was full of pulsating energy and soul with an all-out blast of power from the band. It was then that the crowd rose to their feet, moving to the beat, something that brought an infectious smile to Baró’s face. We danced through “Funky Bird”, a tune that sounded fitting for a James Brown song, until Baró closed his show with impassioned solos from each one of his band members.

This was a fun night. And there is no doubt that when you talk to Baró, you get the sense that this is what he lives for. His enthusiasm for the music he composes is evident. He is not afraid to step outside the box, to put the spotlight on his band members or to drive the music to the highest level.

Alexis Baró is one to watch, from this side or the other side.