Latin beat music update

Latin Beat Magazine, April, 2003 by Nelson Rodriguez

Over the past few years, Latin jazz releases--in terms of quantity--have equaled those of salsa and merengue. Merengue itself has been doing poorly and salsa's future lies with the new trend of re-visiting the old classic style, or salsa dura.

Exponents of Latin jazz are standing firm with a network of professionals and fans to keep each other informed and educated on the Internet, as more and more recordings are released. The integration of Latin jazz and salsa is also becoming more prevalent on recent releases as demonstrated by artists Alfredo Rodríguez, Geraldo Rosales, Susie Hansen and Tolú.

At the same time, one of the biggest complaints by consumers is the attempt by labels to sell old material as new. As recordings change hands from one label to another, the consumer is led to believe that new packaging means new music. Not so, and the last thing a consumer wants is to buy something they already had.

The Yemayá release titled Chucho Valdés Featuring Cachaito did not feature Cachaito once. The first twelve tracks are a trio format with Enrique Plá that has no Cachaito improvisations to speak of. The CD's last eight tracks are solo piano improvisations (the third CD in the last year with Valdés piano recitals). Even the liner notes make no mention of Cachaito as a special guest.

All this aside, there are many Latin jazz projects on the way or currently available. The hot Rumbantela's, Let's Go To The Rumba, (a Puerto Rico release that is hard to find in the U.S.) is comprised of childhood school friends such as pianist Edsel Gómez, saxophonist Frankie Pérez, bassist Oskar Cartaya, trumpeter Humberto Ramírez and percussionists David Rosado, Eugie Castrillo and Tito De Gracia. This one jumps from beginning to end, with excellent tracks like Tertulia and Jammin'.

Bassist Oskar Cartaya is preparing a debut CD with his band Enclave as well as an all-star tropical release.

Ray Vega has played with a who's who list many have envied, including Mongo Santamaría and Ray Barretto's New World Spirit, plus thirteen years with the Tito Puente Orchestra. Influenced by the sounds of Machito & his Afro-Cuban Orchestra (and in particular by Mario Bauzá), Vega also loves the jazz trumpeters he pays tribute to on his CD Boperation. All of these influences can be heard on his latest project, Pa'Lante, with his Latin Jazz sextet (Chembo Corniel, Bobby Porcelli, Willie Martínez, Boris Kozlov and Igor Atalia). The CD opens up with Flight To Jordan, which was a composition Ray always wanted to record but Tito Puente got to interpret first on his Tropijazz CD In Session, with the Golden Latin Jazz All-Stars. Vega pays tribute to Kenny Dorham (K.D.) and Miles Davis (Miles Away) as well as saxophonists John Coltrane (A Love Supreme), Charlie Parker (Yardbird Suite) and Wayne Shorter (El Guacho). Descarga in New York is a fine jam session in tribute to the hardcore New York salsa bands of the '70s. The sweet Melanie's Dream was written for his teen daughter when she was six months old.

Another superb release belongs to Alfredo Rodríguez y Los Acerekó with the CD Cuban Jazz, which outshines his last critically acclaimed release, Cuba Linda. The chemistry between Alfredo, singers Bobby Carcassés and Joel Hierrezuelo, trumpeter Manuel Machado, violinist Rubén Chaviano, saxophonist José Carlos Acosta, bassist Oscarito Rodríguez and percussionists Changuito, Tata Güines and Roberto Evangelisti excels throughout the album, and in particular on the tunes Caravan, Blues Guaguancó and All The Things You Are. Add the descarga Pa' Gozar, the guaguancó Consuélate, the guaracha Con El Sabor De La Tierra and the son montuno Maleta y Nailon, and you have one of the year's best.

Percussionist Little Johnny Rivero just completed a European tour with David Murray's Latin Big Band in support of Murray's latest project and has plans for future ventures into the percussive world and Latin jazz.

Ray Barretto pays tribute to drummer legend Art Blakey on his new one, Homage to Art, with Miguel Zenón, Vince Cherico, Luis Perdomo, John Bailey and Hans Glawischnig.

Irakere trumpeter Basilio Márquez has formed a new band, Eclipse, and recorded the CD, Eclipse Total.

Saxophonist for Bobby Sanabria's Ascensión, Hilary Noble has made his debut, Noble Savage, which includes Sanabria, Boris Kozlov and John di Martino.

Cintrón, led by timbalero Edgardo Cintrón and vocalist Rocco Persia, has released an album that makes for a great introduction to many of you who have not experienced the swinging sounds of this South Jersey band. The west coast will love their version of Malo's Suavecito.

Radio personality José Rizo is hard at work with the Jazz On The Latin Side All Stars' third outing that includes the 6/8 jazz tune Sun God and the charanga-flavored Chupacabra. They plan to cover Dizzy Gillespie's Be Bop, (arranged by musical director Francisco Torres as a songo) and The Last Bullfight, arranged by veteran Paul López. Look for Lee Morgan's Caramba and Willie Bobo's version of The Look of Love, with Freddie Crespo on vocals. This time, the band is composed of 19 musicians: Francisco Aguabella, Justo Almario, Poncho Sánchez, Francisco Torres, Tiki Pasillas, Alex Acuña, Ramón Flores, Art Velasco, Sal Cracchiolo, Danilo Lozano, Scott Martin, Joey De León, Roberto Incelli, René Camacho, Pablo Méndez, Jimmy Branly, Luis Eric González and pianist Donald Vega.