27 Mar
In These Shoes by Claudia Acuna and Arturo O'Farrill
Thursday, 27 March 2008
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
JazzTrenzz’s Clef NotesSpicy composition and rebel arrangements make this year’s entry to the Latin jazz scene of Claudia Acuna and Arturo O’Farrill’s, a p…
21 Mar
The Nature Of The Beat by Wayne Wallace
Friday, 21 March 2008
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Afro-Latin accents traipse fragrantly through Wayne Wallace's music, moving to samba-vibed beats, merengue flavored horns, and salsa-toned vocals. His latest release
19 Mar
Roots Propaganda by The Paul Carlon Octet
Wednesday, 19 March 2008
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Saxophonist and bandleader Paul Carlon has made it his life’s mission to assimilate Latin music into American jazz. One of his vehicles has been The Paul Carlon Octet wh…
09 Mar
Grupo Yanqui Rides Again by Bennett Paster and Gregory Ryan / Grupo Yanqui
Sunday, 09 March 2008
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Co-led by the young, up-and-coming New York City-based pianist (Bennett Paster) and bassist (Gregory Ryan), Grupo Yanqui's stock-in-trade is accomplished - but not overly-p…
29 Feb
Self-titled by Charlie Sepulveda & The Turnaround
Friday, 29 February 2008
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
The refreshing Latin sound of Charlie Sepulveda jazz intermingled with touches of the traditional stuff is quite becoming, to say the least. This is the stuff jazz clubs…
09 Feb
Grupo Yanqui Rides Again by Grupo Yanqui
Saturday, 09 February 2008
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
The New York City based band Grupo Yanqui artfully confluence Afro-Cuban and Brazilian landscapes with American dancehall swing and bebop harmonies. Their music preens a…
04 Feb
Live at JazzBaltica by Trio Da Paz & Joe Locke
Monday, 04 February 2008
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Joe Locke has spent the last two and a half decades providing surefooted, exciting mallet work to every opus to which he lends his name. Speaking of his name, you can fi…
23 Jan
Salongo by Eddie Allen
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Trumpeter, flugelhornist and composer Eddie Allen has been kicking around New York for a number of years, always doing great work but not getting the critical attention …
19 Jan
Triple Play by Bill O'Connell
Saturday, 19 January 2008
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Pianist and native New Yorker Bill O’Connell has been a mainstay on the jazz scene for many years. After having studied classical piano at The Oberlin Conservatory, O’Co…
16 Jan
Afro Bop Alliance by Caribbean Jazz Project
Wednesday, 16 January 2008
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Caribbean Jazz Project, fronted by vibraphonist/marimba player, David Samuels, is a Latin-jazz combo made of equal percussion parts that when brought in with horns and k…
14 Jan
Afro Bop Alliance by Caribbean Jazz Project
Monday, 14 January 2008
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Vibraphonist, marimba-ist, composer and arranger Dave Samuels formed the Caribbean Jazz Project, a small ensemble of between five and seven members, in 1993 shortly afte…
26 Jul
Roncesvalles Tango by Rick Washbrook
Thursday, 26 July 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
From the Cafés cantantes to the gypsy festivals, the ardor of Flamenco music is the heartbeat of passionate string-driven romance. Whether it was the rubber-stamped clas…
25 Jul
Odessa / Havana by David Buchbinder
Wednesday, 25 July 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Over the past decade or so, the trailblazing Tzadik label has firmly established the mutuality and stylistic symbiosis between Judaic and Latin music. This subgenre-between…
23 Jul
Borrowed Time by Steve Khan
Monday, 23 July 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Steve Khan's Grammy nominated Borrowed Time is a bit of a jazz paradox. Despite several unconventional arrangements and long improvisations, Borrowed Time's a…
10 Jul
Lo Que Somos Lo Que Sea by Grupo Los Santos
Tuesday, 10 July 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Some Latin jazz groups are able to extend the music out beyond the traditional forms and rhythms we all know and love. The New York City-based quartet Grupo los Santos make…
10 Jul
Buenos Aires Report by Pablo Ziegler and Quique Sinesi with Walter Castro
Tuesday, 10 July 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Pablo Ziegler was the pianist for the last - and some say greatest - quintet led by the legendary Tango innovator Astor Piazzolla. A classically trained pianist and compose…
26 Jun
Big Boss Bossa Nova 2.0 by Doug Munro
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
New York guitarist Doug Munro has been around the jazz scene since the 1980s. He’s released a number of recordings as a leader, as well as appeared on over 30 other reco…
07 Jun
Jazz Bata by Chucho Valdes Trio
Thursday, 07 June 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
One of a series of extraordinary re-issues out on the Malanga Music imprint in 2007, this set from Cuban jazz piano maestro Chucho Valdes may well be the standout. Recor…
01 Jun
Con Alma by Mark Weinstein
Friday, 01 June 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Fans of Latin Jazz may have a new favorite CD for their collection. Mark Weinstein’s latest exploration is entitled Con Alma, and features the brilliantly creativ…
31 May
Awakenings by Chris Cortez
Thursday, 31 May 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Relocating to Houston in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Chris Cortez not only went a new direction geographically but also musically. His new album titled Awake…
24 May
Lo Que Somos Lo Que Sea by Grupo Los Santos
Thursday, 24 May 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Grupo Los Santos is a fine group which has developed its Latin jazz sound to a high degree. The playing is imaginative. The sound is enjoyable to listen to.There …
23 May
Lo Que Somos Lo Que Sea by Grupo Los Santos
Wednesday, 23 May 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Grupo Los Santos is a fine group which has developed its Latin jazz sound to a high degree. The playing is imaginative. The sound is enjoyable to listen to. There…
01 May
Of Soul and Shadow by Luis Muñoz
Tuesday, 01 May 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Costa Rican native Luis Muñoz has conceived ten compositions that have graced over 25 musicians including special guests Adolfo Acosta (Tower of Power) on trumpet; percu…
18 Apr
Menudo & Gritz by Scott Martin
Wednesday, 18 April 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Menudo & Gritz, the latest offering from Scott Martin’s Latin Soul Band is a multi-generational family affair, and the Martin family once again shows that they …
09 Apr
Con Alma by Mark Weinstein
Monday, 09 April 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Mark Weinstein is strictly an amateur jazz flutist -- in the best possible sense. These days "amateur" is usually taken to mean less than competent, but the word is derived…
08 Apr
In Case You MIssed It by Marlon Simon
Sunday, 08 April 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Considered a top scholar and musician in the field of Latin jazz, drummer and percussionist Marlon Simon releases another electrifying album with his band, the Nagual Sp…
07 Apr
Wonderful Discovery by Arturo O'Farrill
Saturday, 07 April 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Pianist Arturo O’Farrill and friends lend their talents and energy to composer/arranger and educator, Dr. Eugene Marlow in interpreting a host of his compositions and fu…
14 Mar
Crooked Cha by Papa Mambo
Wednesday, 14 March 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Led by conguero Rodrigo Munoz, Papa Mambo is an exciting Latin jazz ensemble based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The all original set on Crooked Cha delivers an eclectic…
23 Feb
Rumba Palace by Arturo Sandoval
Friday, 23 February 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
If you like your jazz with great orchestration and a lot of horns, no let’s make that with really good horns then you will probably want to pick up Arturo Sandoval’s rec…
14 Feb
Rumba Palace by Arturo Sandoval
Wednesday, 14 February 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Decorated Latin jazz master Arturo Sandoval has said ".... [M]y philosophy has always been that I love music. I don't want to be remembered as a jazz trumpeter. I'd like…
09 Feb
In the Zone by Mike Freeman
Friday, 09 February 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
This group known as Mike Freeman and ZonaVibe is a remarkable tour de force as a jazz group, and with Mike Freeman's leadership and compositions places them in a unique …
04 Feb
The Shadow Out of Time by Carter & Bodlovich
Sunday, 04 February 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
It is difficult for me to determine in what section Carter & Bodlovich’s second release, "The Shadow Out of Time", belongs in a CD store.I was thinking Gypsy fusi…
23 Jan
Urban Morphology by Sufiano
Tuesday, 23 January 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Urban Morphology, the debut CD from Copenhagen based musician Sufiano, has a 70’s pop jazz vibe with touches of Brazilian sensuality and New York soul. Sufiano is…
23 Jan
Raise Your Hand by Poncho Sanchez
Tuesday, 23 January 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Poncho Sanchez is an uncompromising artist who has always blurred the lines of imposed musical categorization. The legendary conguero readily admits to the lasting impre…
16 Jan
Resurrection by Panchito
Tuesday, 16 January 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
The Netherlands is definitely a nest of new things. The Dutch have a creative ability in the jazz scene, bringing about their fine music. Despite the band’s name, Panchi…
05 Jan
Two Shoes by The Cat Empire
Friday, 05 January 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
The Cat Empire shows that Cuban-jazz has infiltrated the shores of Australia where the sextet hail from, and capable of the same level of proficiency to create aural mer…
01 Jan
The Reckless Search for Beauty and Dedication by Wayne Wallace
Monday, 01 January 2007
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Dedication and The Reckless Search for Beauty are the two CDs, which would be released by noted trombonist Wayne Wallace. Scheduled to hit the stores …
18 Aug
We Three Strings by Johannes Linstead and Lubeck and Michaud
Friday, 18 August 2006
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
If you are looking to put a different spin on your Christmas music this year, you may want to give a listen to the CD We Three Strings featuring guitar maestros B…
08 Aug
Azul Oscuro by Sueños Latin-Jazz
Tuesday, 08 August 2006
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
The first instrument heard on Azul Oscuro is Steve Hashimoto’s expressive bass introduction, as if it were a guitar and he were leading into a flamenco composition. …
25 Jul
The Global Village by Chris Mello
Tuesday, 25 July 2006
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
In his debut album, L.A. guitarist Chris Mello makes use of all his childhood musical influences, from Pat Methany to Brazilian singer Luciana Souza to John Coltrane. In…
20 Jun
En El Aire (On The Air) by Alain Perez
Tuesday, 20 June 2006
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Alain Perez learned about his Cuban musical heritage the same way most other boys of his generation did ,by listening to his grandfather sing tonadas and gu…
19 Jun
Simpatico by Brian Lynch
Monday, 19 June 2006
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Brian Lynch gets complaints about his music.It usually comes from the guys trying to play his music, but it is not something that bothers him. "Conrad Herwig the trombone p…
12 Jun
Amigos: From Our Hands by Tumbao Bravo
Monday, 12 June 2006
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
From Ann Arbor’s PKO records comes the second release from the popular Detroit-based Cuban jazz ensemble Tumbao Bravo. This music will make even the most reserved want t…
11 Jun
Sketches Of Spain Y Mas: The Latin Side of Miles Davis by Conrad Herwig
Sunday, 11 June 2006
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
When Half Note Records released the astounding Another Kind of Blue: The Latin Side of Miles Davis in 2004, it appeared to be a single live recording that re-interpr…
05 Jun
Uplifting Spirit: Espiritu Optimista by AfroMantra
Monday, 05 June 2006
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
This is Afromantra’s third album, and this mix of bop with Afro-Cuban and South American rhythms does not disappoint. Alex García, the group’s leader and enthusiastic dr…
04 Jun
Other Tongues by Paul Carlon Octet
Sunday, 04 June 2006
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Paul Carlon has been a part of the New York and Latin jazz for over fifteen years. He completed a Master’s in music composition at The City College of New York, and now …
02 Jun
From The Heart by Hilario Duran
Friday, 02 June 2006
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
On From the Heart, pianist and composer Hilario Duran showcases his new 20-piece Latin Jazz Big Band. The ten-song disc is a vibrant release that recalls the semi…
06 May
Beyond Standards by Andrea Brachfeld
Saturday, 06 May 2006
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Andrea Brachfeld is another artist who deserves to be much better known. If she keeps making records like this one it should not take long. A New York-based Latin jazz f…
27 Apr
Come Fly With Me by Dave Valentin
Thursday, 27 April 2006
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
Dave Valentin has been making recordings now for 27 years. He has yet to make a bad one. Reviewing his 2005 release World On A String, I attributed his success …
08 Apr
Radio Guantánamo: Guantánamo Blues Project by Jane Bunnett
Saturday, 08 April 2006
Published in
Latin Jazz / Latin Funk - CD Reviews
In her search for spiritual musical expression, which continues to this date, Jane Bunnett has established one of the more interesting jazz careers of her generation. A Can…