Spheres
July/August 2003 By Javier Quinones
Purple Cha Cha Heels
Accurate Records
Latin-inflected jazz does not rely much-if ever-on minimalist good-humored resources as a steering guide. Brass Roots does so in Purple Cha Cha Heels (Accurate) with just composer, arranger and trombonist Jim "Mondongo" Messbauer, Tim Mayer on baritone sax...
July/August 2003 By Javier Quinones
Afro-Cubism
Accurate Records
The cubist reference in the title of the latest release of the idiosyncratic Either Orchestra is not accidental. Afro-Cubism (Accurate) forays into a Latinized jazz big band aesthetic with unusual power and expression. Numerous sides and sights from the...
July/August 2003 By Javier Quinones
Time to Play
Inner Rhythm
Robert Jospe has one of those clean, spirited and tight-sounding jazz combos, with peppy assuredness, radiating enveloping healthy vibes belying the insufferable widespread practice of overplaying the Latin tinge. Time to Play (Inner Rhythm) is the drummer...
July/August 2003 By Javier Quinones
Isla
Left Coast Clave Records
Isla (Left Coast Clave) is the third release of Mark Levine & the Latin Tinge. He is the author of two commended books on jazz piano and holder of credits with mainstream jazz figures and several Latin legends. Coupled with Michael Spiro on percussion, drummer...
July/August 2003 By Javier Quinones
Live!
Concord Picante
Pete Escovedo is the elder statesman of the premiere percussive Hispanic family in the U.S. Sheila E, Peter Michael and Juan joined Papi in a San Diego gig and the result is Live! (Concord), the first live recording by the distinguished timbalero in 15 years...
July/August 2003 By Javier Quinones
Pan Con Bistec
Ritmo City
The publicity materials of Pan Con Bistec (Ritmo City) by composer, arranger, saxophonist and flutist Bobby Ramirez describe it as "an extraordinary fusion of world music with jazz influence." That is quite a stretch. There is absolutely nothing astonishing...
July/August 2003 By Javier Quinones
Los Hijos del Sol: To My Country
NIDO
Significant portions of Peru's musical spectrum are updated through Los Hijos del Sol: Alex Acuna & Eva Ayllon in To My Country (Nido). Wayne Shorter has uncharacteristically Peruvian divine interventions on soprano sax in "Surco" and "Un Barco Ciego." Paquito...
December 2002 By Larry Appelbaum
Le Pas Du Chat Noir
ECM Records
The conservatory-trained Anouar Brahem has deep respect for traditional music, but he's also a modernist who assimilates classical and jazz influences, writes for film and dance and has helped push the oud (Arabic lute) from an ensemble role into center...
December 2002 By Larry Appelbaum
Alight
Songlines
Vancouver-based tar player and vocalist Amir Koushkani is bringing traditional Persian repertoire into the modern era by collaborating with creative improvisers; in this case, clarinetist and fellow Vancouverite Francois Houle, and Puerto Rican percussionist...
December 2002 By Larry Appelbaum
The Twelve Tribes
Label Bleu
For a walk on the wild Lower East Side, it's worth checking out clarinetist David Krakauer. If you've been following his work, you know he has iron chops, a deep grasp of Jewish musicology and the ability to play in and outside the tradition. He's also been...
