What happens when you “graduate” from Tito Puente’s big band? With any luck, you’ll sound something like the Bronx Horns, featuring three of Puente’s star horn players; Mitch Frohman, Bobby Porcelli and Ray Vega. Of course, the fun part is hearing how much Puente remains in their music, which is plenty. The band sound is less frantic, though, as if they spend as much time in Havana as in New York City. Piano player Oscar Hernandez gets a chance to shine on “Teriaki.” The overall effect is exuberant Latin jazz, burnished to a mellow gleam.
The liner notes, penned by Latin icon Felipe Luciano, are informative and inspiring. Catch the Feeling is throughly modern in sound, but like all of the best Latin jazz, is always danceable. Don’t look for wild displays of percussion-this CD gives the horn man a chance to shine.
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