“Cortiñas draws inspiration from Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano’s canonical anti-colonialism/capitalism tome Open Veins of Latin America in a two-disc opus as sprawling and fiery as the text itself. A vast array of instrumentalists and spoken-word artists from 11 countries accompanies Cortiñas’ supple sextet across 14 sublime originals. The ambitious instrumental narrative — divided in chapters and stitched together by horn-laced rhythms and words spoken in the staccato of Indigenous languages and the cadence of Spanish — is a resounding sonic condemnation of the exploitative power structure that has long held sway over Latin America since Europeans set foot.”

JAZZIZ - Best of 2021 Critics Picks

“A musical meditation of the book The Open Veins of Latin America, by the esteemed author Eduardo Galeano. It is a brilliant exploration of jazz mashed up with various sounds from Latin America.”

 NPR’s Alt.Latino

Best Albums of 2021: “Story telling, and the political history of place, go hand in hand with Jazz. For Mexican drummer Gustavo Cortinas this tradition unfolds in his masterwork Desafio Candente; a sweeping account of how colonialism and capitalism have shaped Latin America.”

33Third.org’s Best of 2021

“Listeners familiar with Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra are sure to experience a bit of reverie after hearing the beginning fanfare. “Cortiñas has produced a veritable musical score, replete with all the revolutionary nuances and cadences invoked by Galeano... The revolt against oppression reaches a climax that is better understood with Galeano's book in your hand, and Cortiñas' music in your ears."

DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE

“Gustavo Cortiñas’ third release as a leader, the magnificent Desafio Candente is an ambitious work both in depth and breadth. The spontaneous ensemble is intricately textured and lyrical with distinct individual styles complementing one another. Desafio Candente is innovative, elegant, and relevant. It is socially engaged music with themes that are simultaneously timely and timeless.”

CHICAGO JAZZ MAGAZINE

“Cortiñas ha impreso su raíz en la escena del jazz en Chicago con un corazón rítmico que fluye desde su batería con temas y mensajes que revisan la historia de los pueblos latinoamericanos.”

La Jornada

“The Chicago-based composer, drummer and percussion colourist has created a musical palimpsest that carries the weight of the history of colonialism and neocolonialism of the entire southern part of the Americas. Moreover, with inspirational ideas he plumbs the folkloric traditions or various cultural outposts – not only Mexican – resulting in an epic and heroic narrative of resistance, pathos and triumph of human endeavour.”

Latin Jazz Network

“Las venas abiertas del jazz de AL…un alegato musical contra el colonialismo y el imperialismo, y a favor de la resistencia de los pueblos”

REFORMA

“Gustavo Cortiñas explores Latin American history, culture, and resilience on Desafío Candente. Despite Desafío Candente’s despairing explorations of the tragedies throughout nuestra historia, the album left me with a sense of triumph—it ultimately feels like a celebration of the many cultures and peoples who came together, survived against all odds, and continue to create beauty today.”

CHICAGO READER

"Cortinas’ music has super-syncopated, Afro-Caribbean beats with cool intoxicating rhythms. . Lyrics and narration are in Spanish but the music speaks a universal amen.”

O’s Place MAGAZINE

“The wide variety of sounds and moods are like a smorgasbord of atmospheres, with the spoken openings an intimate insight to life a so close yet so far. A musical museum.”

JAZZ WEEKLY