|
|
 |
CD Review
|
| Click Here to go back. |
Newsday, CD Review >>
-by Ed Morales
Latino tempos put to an American beat
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something ... funky. That sums up part of the flood of new releases that push the Latin music world into full spring bloom this month. As so many artists allow themselves to explore different aspects of their musical personality, listeners can enjoy a wide range of Latino and mainstream American genres within the same album.
Take jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval's new album, "Rumba Palace" (Telarc). The virtuoso who once formed part of the core of Cuban dance band
Irakere takes a break from the straight-ahead jazz he has often pursued since defecting to the United States, and the result contains some of the best pure Afro-Cuban music recorded in this country for several years. It hardly seems fair to compare these horn charts to a conventional rumba dance band, but Sandoval deserves props for returning to his roots in such spectacular fashion. Of course, there are more conventional jazz tunes, such as "21st Century" and "Sexy Lady" interspersed with the spectacular dance music of "El Huracán del Caribe," and "A Gozar."
Local Cuban dance fans can take comfort in José Conde and Ola Fresca's "(R)Evolución" (Pipiki Records). Guest stars like Yerba Buena's Pedrito Martínez, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra's Jimmy Bosch and Venezuelan cuatro player Aquiles Baez make this album an eclectic pan-Latin dance album that reflects New York's special polyglot character. For an unexpectedly breathtaking jazz turn, sample the album's version of "Summertime," featuring local tres fave Benjamin Lapidus.
Poncho Sanchez continues the formula that has garnered him such a loyal following over the last 20 years on "Raise Your Hand" (Concord Picante). With unrelenting precision, the West Coast conga player who took his cue from the late great Mongo Santamaría goes for his usual mixture of danceable Latin jazz with '60s and '70s funk. Where else are you going to hear versions of soul classics like "Shotgun" (featuring Maceo Parker), "Knock on Wood" (featuring Booker T. and the MGs) and a classic salsa tune like "El Agua de Belén," which has none other than salsa great Andy Montañez on lead vocals?
Fans of Chile's late lamented Los Tetas and Argentina's equally missed Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas will get their fill of '70s big electric band funk on Funky C's new release, "Joya" (Sonic 360). A central contributor to Los Tetas, Funky C sings, plays guitar and keyboards, and manages to stop short of overusing the vocoder and overwhelming this largely fun-filled album with pretension. There isn't anything substantial beyond "Standalone Mode" and the title track, but isn't that what we loved about the '70s?
In the tradition of the recent flamenco crossover classics like Bebo & Cigala, guitarist Niño Josele's "Paz," (Calle 54/Sony Norte), an album full of covers of pianist Bill Evans classics, is perfect for end of the day reflection. Josele teases out each note as if he had been studying Evans all of his life. Caution: Listening to his version of "The Peacocks," a duet with saxophonist Joe Lovano, may induce epiphany. It's that good. If you need to follow this muse all the way into Manhattan one night, Josele will be performing Tuesday through Sunday at the Village Vanguard (212-255-4037). 05/20/07 >> go there
|
| Click Here to go back. |
|
 |
|
|
|
