John Damberg Latin Jazz Quintet: Angie’s Samba

Call this lite Latin jazz. Vibist Damberg and quintet, who hail from Alaska, include a mambo, “O-Tumba,” the title cut samba, several pan-Caribbean numbers, “Thoughts,” and “South of Haiti,” and a percussion interlude, “Drum Groove.” Pleasant enough but without the rhythmic punch one associates with Latin jazz. I liked “New Year 95 Blues,” and the playing of flutist Herb Kloss, but there’s just too little heat on this outing.

Originally Published October 1, 1999