Latin Beat music update

Latin Beat Magazine, Feb, 2005 by Nelson Rodríguez

Last year we saw the emergence of many new acts and recordings, and this year will bring releases launched from all over the world at a rapid pace.

Salsamba, a group that I've enjoyed over the years, halls from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is led by guitarist Eric Susoeff. Since its first release in 1988 (Mambo in Blue), the band has stayed true to the small combo sound. Its latest, The Traveler, is by far the best, with outstanding work by Susoeff and saxophonist Eric Defades.

Another combo release belongs to percussionist Arturo Stable, whose powerful statement is felt on his debut, 3rd Step. This quartet, with guest reedman Tim Mayer, was one of the best surprises at the end of the year. Stable, who also composed and arranged, shows that he has staying power with this first project.

Carlos Barbosa-Lima just released Siboney which captures the sounds heard from the 1930s to the 1950s in Havana. The classical guitarist is joined by Eddie Gómez, Oscar Hernández and Dafnis Prieto.

Ed Calle Plays Santana includes tracks like Evil Ways, Europa, Flor D'Luna and Black Magic Woman in a tribute to Carlos Santana's sensual side.

Amanecer, a hot, new Latín jazz CD from Canada's Papa Mambo, is led by bassist/percussionist Rodrigo Muñoz. Along with trombonist/keyboardist Jeff Pressalaff, Muñoz has delivered an impressive project as a new and independent artist deserving more recognition.

Pimienta Records has continued re-issuing the Messidor catalog, including Paquito D'Rivera's 40 Years of Cuban Jam Sessions, Mario Bauzá's Tanga, Giovanni Hidalgo's Villa Hidalgo, Seis Del Solar's Alternate Roots and Patato's Masterpiece. The label has also released new projects, such as the recording of Federico Brito's Danzón By Six titled Elegante, the hip, young Miami's Band's Mundo Urbano, Conjunto Progreso's Masters of Son Cubano, and Miriam Bayard's Cuando Salí de Cuba.

Mariano Civico reminds us why Costa Brava was such a popular band in the '80s with his latest CD, Inconfundible, which is full of potential radio hits, and is already receiving airplay in Colombia, where Mariano is very popular.

Among other new recordings that you will also enjoy is a jazz release by saxophonist Miguel Zenón (Ceremonial) that showcases his extraordinary talent, as well as the recorded alliance of Luis Perdomo, Antonio Sánchez and Hans Glawischnig on the Latin jazz debut Focus Point, featuring Zenón, Ravi Coltrane and Roberto Quintero. While Cuba has its "New Sound of Cuban Jazz," as created by a young generation of native musicians, the United States also has a wealth of young talent that includes Zenón, Perdomo and many others.

Trumpeter Michael Simón (brother of Marlon & Edwin Simón) and the group Roots United have made a recording in Munich, Germany, featuring Gerardo Rosales, titled Revelación. With brother Marlon co-producing Simon's hip and fresh compositions, this one is a must have for Latin jazz lovers.

Marlon Simón and the Nagual Spirits also have a new CD (Live in La Paz, Bolivia) with performances by Roberto Quintero, Edward Simón, Peter Brainin and Boris Kozlov.

Percussionist Mark Cotgrove, better known as Snowboy, who has been absent from the music scene for over a year, is back with a new CD, New Beginnings. Fans will love The Hands of Palmieri, Mediodía Hasta Tarde, Wilson's Mambo and Ven Rumbero.

Two hot merengue projects coming out belong to Kinito Mendez (Celebra Conmigo) with the single Hony Tu Si Jony and Rikarena's (Pa' Rato) hit Quien Me Va a Querer.

Another independent worth the money is Acting Up by the Banda Brothers (led by Tony & Ramón Banda), as it is designed to delight the listener with Latín jazz sounds. Javier Vergara (tenor sax), Francisco Torres (trombone), Joey de León (percussionist) and Chris Barron (piano and keyboards) are very impressive, as they compliment the energetic rhythm laid down by the Banda brothers. Check out the closing jam, Acting Up.

Orquesta Salsa Hits offers a compilation of salsa classics (such as Mi Gente, Fuego En el 23, Agua del Clavelito and Vamonos Pa'l Monte) with new arrangements. Look for Salsa Hits 2005 and its primary tune, Vuelve La Salsa, in the compilation sections of record stores.

Bye-Ya! (The Latin Jazz Quintet) is a band formed in 1999 by Dutch percussionist Jens Kerkhoff and bassist Mick Paauwe, who have produced two wonderful CDs--The Latin Jazz Quintet and the most recent, Dos. Along with trumpeter Jarmo Hoogendijk, pianist Randal Corsen and drummer Liber Torriente, this quintet gives European jazz a whole new level of respect in my book.

The first band I heard doing mostly covers of the classics from the '70s was not Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Sonetos del Barrio, Son Boricua or Johnny Polanco. It was Inwa's Orquesta Alto Maiz that was doing this during the '90s. The band is back with a new CD, Ritmo En Azul, with covers of Vamonos Pa'l Monte, Todos Vuelven, Ponte Duro and De Todo Un Poco.