08 Nov
Lagrimas Negras by Bebo & Cigala
Saturday, 08 November 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
The best music is always made when musicians leave their "six shooters" at home and give themselves over to expressing the music wholeheartedly. When participants come toge…
28 Oct
Blue & Green by Peter Smith
Tuesday, 28 October 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Peter Smith is a prime example of the who-knows-how-many fine musicians who labor in relative obscurity in a local market, working to perfect their craft with few op…
24 Oct
Southern Exposure by Tom Lellis
Friday, 24 October 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Vocalist/multi-instrumentalist, Tom Lellis would seemingly enjoy a career-based, upward spiral with the advent of this winning production. He garners compassionate assistan…
05 Oct
Southern Exposure by Tom Lellis
Sunday, 05 October 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
To say vocalist/pianist and Cleveland native, now New York transplant, Tom Lellis is significantly influenced by Mark Murphy would perhaps be the understatement of the mont…
19 Sep
Shackrobeat Vol 1 by Aphrodesia
Friday, 19 September 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Hailing from San Francesco, this revved up eleven piece unit interweaves African rhythms with funk-rock and the sounds of the tropics. Vocalist Lara Maykovich adds a spicy …
17 Sep
Bolivia and Under Fire by Gato Barbieri
Wednesday, 17 September 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
The phrase "muscular" is frequently used in musical criticism to describe a musician’s attack or forceful nature in the playing of their instrument. Pharaoh Sanders or McCo…
28 Aug
Cafe Varzé: Plays the Music of Donald Anthony Varzé by Sandro Dominelli Quintet
Thursday, 28 August 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Café Varzé Jazz is subtitled Plays the music of Donald Anthony Varzé. Varzé is a native of Edmonton, Canada who, after spending his early years playing guitar…
16 Aug
Cuban Fantasy by Cal Tjader
Saturday, 16 August 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Though not of Latin/Hispanic descent himself, vibist Cal Tjader (1925-1982) was one of the prime exponents of the Latin/Afro-Cuban sound in jazz, and like bandleader/drumme…
08 Aug
No Escape by Ramón Valle
Friday, 08 August 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Pianist Ramón Valle’s first concern as a Jazz artist has been to find his own voice. He is now at the place where he feels he has done that and his concern has moved to exp…
25 Jul
Mediterraneo by Marc Antoine
Friday, 25 July 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Mediterraneo is a trip to Spain in a CD packet. Guitarist Marc Antione's first CD for Dave Koz' Rendezvous Entertainment label was recorded in Madrid and sounds just…
09 Jul
Cuban Fantasy by Cal Tjader
Wednesday, 09 July 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Vibraphonist/percussionist Cal Tjader, who passed away in 1982, was one of the biggest non-Latin proponents of Afro-Cuban music in jazz. From the time he played with George…
26 Jun
Latin Jazz Christmas by Various Artists
Thursday, 26 June 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
LATIN JAZZ CHRISTMAS is an eclectic collection of Latin jazz artists performing Christmas songs, and each song has it own special blend of Latin jazz. There are 11 songs in…
18 Jun
New Conceptions by Chucho Valdés
Wednesday, 18 June 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Chucho Valdés has attracted considerable attention and legions of fans as he bridged conflicting political systems; classical European harmonies and percussion-based celebr…
15 Jun
Mediterraneo by Marc Antoine
Sunday, 15 June 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Mediterraneo is breezy, non-offensive Latin-tinged contemporary guitar music that will not blaze any new trails but will offer hours of calm, non-threatening enjoyme…
14 Jun
Cool Fire (2-CD Set) by Cal Tjader
Saturday, 14 June 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
COOL FIRE is a memorable collection of vibe performances by Cal Tjader. This 2 CD set consists of two collections. The first collection on disc one is A FUEGO VIVO released…
31 May
Out Of Sight! by Poncho Sanchez
Saturday, 31 May 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Poncho Sanchez defines Latin Jazz with his contemporary approach and innovative performances. OUT OF SIGHT! will be among the top favorites for Latin jazz this year, and hi…
15 May
Live at the Blue Note by Michel Camilo
Thursday, 15 May 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
When discussing present day jazz-based piano trios, Michel Camilo’s group most assuredly resides within the upper echelon of such matters. With this 2-CD set recorded at Ne…
08 May
Birds of a Feather by Caribbean Jazz Project
Thursday, 08 May 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Caribbean Jazz Project has undergone several changes of personnel since its inception less than a decade again. But the constant in the midst of all of the transformations …
07 May
Ritmo Caliente by Eddie Palmieri
Wednesday, 07 May 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Timing is everything. When Concord Records executive producer John Burk signed Eddie Palmieri to the label, not only was Palmieri at the brink of a resurgence in popularity…
17 Apr
Flatjacks by Willie Rodriguez
Thursday, 17 April 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Willie Rodriguez has got it goin' on! This disc is just a great and groovin' jazz disc. With loads of Latin flavor, this one is a winner! In company with Rodriguez is multi…
10 Apr
Live at the Blue Note by Michel Camilo
Thursday, 10 April 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
After 24 years of enlivening U.S. performances with his technically astounding facility on the piano, as he blends classical, jazz and Latin styles learned in his native Sa…
10 Apr
Pan Con Bistec by Bobby Ramirez
Thursday, 10 April 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
This year has seen the loss of the giants of Latin Music- Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, and most recently Celia Cruz and Company Segundo. It is clear an era has ended in w…
03 Apr
Bobos Beat by Willie Bobo
Thursday, 03 April 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Timbales madness!!! That’d be an appropriate alternate title for this reissued platter - after all, we’ve had Alto Madness, Bongo Madness, Tenor Gladness, Bongo Fury…
12 Mar
Latinsville by Victor Feldman
Wednesday, 12 March 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
The train pulls into the station and the conductor shouts, "Latinsville! All out for Latinsville!" Off the map for a lot time, Fantasy reinstates the route to the long-out-…
12 Mar
The Traveler by Salsamba
Wednesday, 12 March 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
The Traveler is the 4th release from the Pittsburgh based group headed by Guitarist Eric Susoeff. It includes covers of the little known Coltrane composition " 26-2", Ray B…
11 Mar
Ongoing Dreams by Edu Tancredi
Tuesday, 11 March 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Edu Tancredi was born in Uruguay, so close to Brazil that he grew up speaking both Spanish and Portuguese. He was classically trained on piano as a child and later studied …
14 Feb
Beautiful by Candido
Friday, 14 February 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Conga drum wizard Candido Camero has been the percussionist of choice when jazz players [like Gene Ammons, David Amram, and Elvin Jones] wanted/needed a specialist in Afro-…
05 Feb
Soul Pools by Babatunde Lea
Wednesday, 05 February 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Yeah! This is the real deal here. The energy is hot, the tunes are tight, and the playing joyful. This is the debut release from Motema Music and drummer Lea has assembled …
02 Feb
Vol. 4: Vodou Dance by Los Hombres Calientes: Bill Summers & Irvin Mayfi
Sunday, 02 February 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Fans of this fine group anxiously awaited the release of Volume 4 of the Los Hombres Calientes series. Titled Vodou Dance the album features tra…
01 Feb
Pete Escovedo Live! by Pete Escovedo
Saturday, 01 February 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
In his first live recording in over 15 years, Pete Escovedo returns in a classic recording of his contemporary Latin style, full of vigor, life, and a great sense of fun. I…
29 Jan
Vol. 4: Vodou Dance by Los Hombres Calientes
Wednesday, 29 January 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Trumpeter Irvin Mayfield and legendary percussionist Bill Summers give Latin jazz fans a history lesson with their latest release, Vol. 4: Vodou Dance. Mayfield, a New Orle…
12 Jan
Portrait by Jennifer Hall
Sunday, 12 January 2003
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
This recording was composed, arranged with Midi Orchestrations by Tom Kubis featuring Cold September Morning composed by Steve Allen. Another side of Jennifer Hall is sh…
25 Sep
Outer Sunset by Sascha Jacobsen Quintet
Wednesday, 25 September 2002
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Any contemporary Jazz listener will tell you that very few new releases really nail it these days. You might get great technical chops on one album, some nice composition o…
15 Sep
Puro Cubano: Live At The Dakota by Nachito Herrera
Sunday, 15 September 2002
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
As musical director of the highly visible Cubanismo, Nachito Herrera unleashed Cuba’s formidable musicians before the public with a ferocity and zest unmatched in any curre…
08 Aug
Canta Brasil by Kenny Barron
Thursday, 08 August 2002
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Pianist and Composer Kenny Barron has been described as "Ubiquitous." He has the unique ability to tap into the Universal element of any musical situation and still retain …
01 Aug
The Gathering by Caribbean Jazz Project
Thursday, 01 August 2002
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Co-led by Dave Samuels and Dave Valentin, the Caribbean Jazz Project gives the jazz listening audience a great listening treat with their release, THE GATHERING. Everything…
28 Jul
Sonoros De Verdad by Pio Leiva
Sunday, 28 July 2002
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Anyone who loves Cuban music could easily come to believe that the secret to long life, heath and happiness is Cuban Rum and Cigars. Pio Leiva , a Buena Vista Social Club A…
23 Jul
Brazilian Dreams by Paquito D’ Rivera
Tuesday, 23 July 2002
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
This CD is a musical match made in heaven. Paquito D’Rivera performs with the New York Voices and Claudio Roditi to create a gorgeous blend of "Brazilian Dreams" featuring …
13 Jul
Baila Cinderella by Hubert Laws
Saturday, 13 July 2002
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Flutist Hubert Laws, member of the Mongo Santamaria band in the 1960's, is back to his Latin roots with a CD of Latin jazz. Baila Cinderella is a CD of songs that Mo…
05 Jul
Las Calles del Paraiso by Juan Carlos Formell
Friday, 05 July 2002
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
In an interview with the wife of Juan Carlos Formell, Dita Sullivan, (who's admiration and defense of her husband is untiring and beyond measure) I mentioned that the music…
05 Jul
Cuban Odyssey by Jane Bunnett
Friday, 05 July 2002
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Q: What other jazz artist has devoted so much time, expense and financial resources to bring the riches of Cuban music to public awareness, in spite of countless obstacles?…
21 Jun
Luminescence by Tino Derado
Friday, 21 June 2002
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Tino Derado has assembled a multi-national ensemble for his third release on his own Perun Records. The music is a refreshing change of pace from so much of what is release…
11 Jun
Quarteto Aché! by Bobby Sanabria
Tuesday, 11 June 2002
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Bobby Sanabria, an alumnus of Dizzy Gillespie’s United Nation Orchestra--not to mention, many more high-profile bands like Tito Puente’s or Mongo Santamaria’s--has retained…
10 Jun
Preludio by Angel David Mattos
Monday, 10 June 2002
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Angel David Mattos is a well-schooled Jazz artist. He graduated from Escuela Libre de Musica in San Juan Puerto Rico. He continued his studies at the University of Illinois…
08 Jun
Señor Kroon by Steven Kroon
Saturday, 08 June 2002
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
The cover of Señor Kroon suggests quite a bit about the music that the CD contains. First of all, there is Steven Kroon, percussionist, dressed in tans and browns, t…
30 May
E=Mas Cabeza 2 by Mas Cabeza
Thursday, 30 May 2002
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Mas Cabeza is a lively Latin jazz group that delights with its nimble approach and clever handling of jazz motifs. With 9 songs on the CD collection, the listening audience…
Mezcla has been called Cuba’s premier Fusion Band and in fact their name means "Mixture". They first gained notoriety when Carlos Santana joined the fight with members of c…
What impressed me immediately about the group El Eco led by composer/drummer Guillermo Nojechowicz is its vigor and harmonic approaches to jazz motifs that incorporate Lati…
13 May
Pienso el Sur by Mili Bermejo Sexteto
Monday, 13 May 2002
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Jazz vocalist and composer Mili Bermejo embraces her Argentinean roots on her fifth jazz release, "Pienso el Sur."Born in Buenos Aires, Bermejo was raised in Mexico. She…
11 May
Ultimate Latin Dance Party (2-CD Set) by Poncho Sanchez
Saturday, 11 May 2002
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
I have always been a fan of the music performed by Poncho Sanchez. He is a musician that continues to endure and create with much verve and style, and his music is always e…