September 2000

Joseph Diamond
Not Your Typical New Yorker
Basileus

By Sunsh Stein

Pianist Joseph Diamond has jazz chops. He's got his Latin chops down, too, and he uses a lineup of Latin players, including drummer Vince Cherico, bassist Leo Traversa and several percussionists on this recording of original compositions. The tunes range from the highly percussive title track, which includes slight quotes of "Love for Sale," to a slow cha-cha. Diamond's playing has a swingy, sensuous feeling, but he tends to rely too much on traditional Latin vamps that, while lending an upbeat feel-good tone, also add a sameness to tunes that really are different.