January/February 2000

Oscar Feldman
El Angel
song-o-saurus

By Bill Bennett

Feldman's set is graced by some "name" guests, including Paquito D'Rivera, fellow Argentinian Gato Barbieri, trumpeter Claudio Roditi, and Alex Acuna on drums, and a trio of Uruguayan drummers on the deep "Candombe pa' Los Shakers." Here, the compositions and arrangements are mostly Feldman's with a pair by guitarist Richie Zellon and a few others-including the surprising "Wow" of Lennie Tristano. It is Feldman's playing that clings to the ear throughout the set: sure, sleek, beautifully phrased.