In this age of fast food and quick solutions to problems, it is refreshing to experience a protracted effort to maintain musical integrity. Andrea has been a hard worker as long as I’ve known her. The results are evident in the recording Remembered Dreams. Her marvelous tone and technique are astonishing. Her adventurous writing equals and rival her playing here. She is definitely among those who deserves recognition not only among her peers, but the public in general.

Hubert Laws

…A long time ago I bought a recording of Charanga ‘76 and heard a wonderful flute player. In reading the credits to my surprise the flutist was not a he, but a she. With all due respect she plays her buns off; one of the first ladies to disprove the concept that only men can deal with the real deal. Richard Egues, Arcaño, Pancho el Bravo, Fajardo, Mauricio Smith, Pacheco, Hubert Laws, Herbie Mann, Lew Tabackin, Frank Wess, Paul Horn; I can go on and on but the point is she has done her homework. …Prepare yourselves for a musical journey that comes from a pro- found place, and that place is called the heart. Enjoy and God bless

Dave Valentin

This flutist is full of energy and excitement. After several years out of sight, Brachfeld jumped out the box and into the groove. This isn’t just a pleasant CD, its title and flavor represent a return to dreams realized and we are glad…. Brachfeld performs in a way that’s sensitive and cooperative to her bandmates…there’s a really funky introduction on Mojivin Sun,” which settles again into a mellow Latin-tinged vibe. Goines, Plainfield and Bauzo are right on her heels to produce one of the best sounding tracks on this CD. This was a better than expected set of music. From the first track, it was alive and ripe with great musical chemistry and strong solos. Andrea Brachfeld can hold her own with other jazz flutists and should be ranked right there with them.

Denai Burbank, jazzreview.com

Groove and soul are running themes in this powerful session by the gifted flautist Andrea Brachfeld, who is des- tined to be a great force on her chosen instrument. Recurrent tonal centers and rhythmic patterns provide spring- boards for the leader’s tremendous harmonic imagination, which is on the level with Hubert Laws’ best efforts.

James D. Armstrong Jr., jazznow.com

Here is a lovely debut solo release by flutist Andrea Brachfeld who if you recall was a member of the famed Charanga’76. Accompanied by a top-notch percussion section, Ms. Brachfeld offers a wonderfully engaging selection that allows her flute to take flight.

Bruce Polin, descarga.com

I loved your CD, and you probably have the most beautiful tone on the instrument that I have heard in a long time…

Bobby Sanabria, master drummer, percussionist, and Grammy Award winner

Brachfeld has wonderful tone, technique, and time, and a clean , refreshing approach…her band is tight and crackling, and this recording is unusually well-balanced and crisp for a self-produced effort.

Judith Schlesinger, www.52ndstreet.com

During the salsa explosion of the 1970’s in New York City, there was one female flute player that worked with the bulk of the bands in the Latin music scene. Her name is Andrea Brachfeld…within a couple of years, she built an impressive reputation for her musicianship and impeccable technique on the flute. Remembered Dreams marks the return to the studio and to the Latin jazz scene of this wonderful female flutist and bandleader…

Gil Rivera, Latin Beat Magazine

I’m happy to announce that Andrea Brachfeld is back, and attractive as ever. And most important she is also bringing those glorious flute sounds with her…The experience that she acquired during the Charanga craze in New York City, plus her obvious talent, makes Andrea one of the best flutists in Afrocuban music.

George Rivera, Salsaweb.com

…She sure digs her Latin grooves…stylistically, one hears traces of Hubert Laws, Dave Valentin, and Joe Farrell. The big difference is her tone: there is an energetic yearning that I can only describe as angelic. Don’t be put off, because there is real musicality in the lines she plays and in her bright, steely sound….the opener, Le Metro J” has Brachfeld charging out of the box. She trades energetic eights with Quaranta and displays impressive chops in the process….for those with a predilection for darting, dancing flute in a modern Latin setting (especially you Dave Valentin fans), this disc will rub you the right way. On that basis, I recommend it.

Charles Winokoor, Cadence Magazine, Cadence Building, Redwood, NY 13679 USA, www.cadencebuilding.com

Andrea Brachfeld is at the top of a field that has sadly been paved over these days…..she now sits at the top of a heap that is as much nostalgic as it is beautiful flute music…it’s a fantastic release. Latin doesn’t get any cooler than this.

Ben Ohmart, LaRitmo.com

Remembered Dreams gives justice to the talent and the great amount of energy of this flutist who established a reputation for herself in the 70’s and 80’s in the New York Charanga Bands… flutist’s CD’s of Latin Jazz are rare, one more reason to not let this one pass you by.

Luc Delannoy, Caliente Magazine, Paris

Overall the album is sweet. Brachfeld and her excellent band keep things shifting, changing as the songs evolve. Welcome back, Andrea! We look forward to hearing more.

Picadillo.com

I’ve been presenting your CD Remembered Dreams every night on my radio station. It’s really beautiful.

Toni Basanta, DJ, Havana, Cuba

Andrea’s flute playing virtuosity is so uncanny and awe-inspiring that it has prompted me to refer to her as the Chucho Valdez of the flute. Without batting an eye…all compositions on this gem of a recording were written by Brachfeld herself…Remembered Dreams is a musical testament that may lead one to conclude she will continue to produce and perform brilliantly…

Richard Blondett, oasissalsero.com

Flutist/composer Andrea Brachfeld cut her teeth in Latin bands like Charanga ‘76, though she also has classical training and plenty of jazz experience. This independently released CD reflects those influences, eight tunes written by Brachfeld that range from reflective mood pieces “Mojivin Sun” to swinging Latin jazz “Le Metro J”. The end re- sult is an album that’s soothing, but with enough energy and variety that it’s never boring. All the compositions are solid “Quatemala’s Dance”, tuneful and pleasant, if not always memorable “Latin Sunset” is based on such familiar themes it almost sounds like a standard. … Brachfeld’s tone is clear and confident…

Wilson & Alroy’s Record Reviews

Jazz flutist Andrea Brachfeld is emphasized…on the CD, but the whole band, Phoenix Rising, is impressive. While Brachfeld plays beautifully and makes it seem effortless, the full music of Remembered Dreams is free-spirited and natural. Brachfeld’s flute playing is hypnotic. I learned something from listening to “Afra-Jade.” I didn’t know the sweet sound of the flute could also sound so ancient and mystical. Brachfeld’s playing lets the instrument show per- sonality. A required listen for serious jazz musicians /enthusiasts. Those of you living in the New York area should check out Phoenix Rising’s many live performances.

Jennifer Layton, Indie-music.com

Wow. The dreams you remembered and realized are outstanding. Your combination of instruments, the energetic vibes, the jazzy jazz are superb in my lay review. Yours will be a CD I play again and again.

Evelyn Delaney, fan

In the 1970’s and 80’s, flutist Andrea Brachfeld was a hot fixture in New York’s Latin and contemporary jazz scenes as flutist…With the band, “Phoenix Rising”, the South Brunswick-based music veteran makes a glorious return. Remembered Dreams is an excellent disc that combines such Latin-flavored originals as “Le Metro J”, “Quatemala’s Dance” and “Latin Sunset” with compelling contemporary jazz cuts like the title track…

Robert Makin, The Courier News

Andrea Brachfeld’s new CD, “Remembered Dreams”, is an incredible recording I urge you to buy. Her band, “Phoenix Rising”, is a tight group with a Latin Jazz sound that mixes well with her flute.

Ben Buckwald, Jersey Style magazine