Chris Washburne and the SYOTOS Band Paradise in Trouble

Latin Beat Magazine, Sept, 2003 by Rudy Mangual

(Jazzheads Records)

This third effort by the New York City-based bone master and scholar of the pentagram and all things musical continues in the path of exploration and cross-pollination of global rhythms and forms with bebop, cubop, hip-hop, and whatever else happens to enter Chris Washburne's mind. Elements borrowed from ancient Yoruba rhythms and Afro-Caribbean dance styles (and enveloped by urban percussive flavors and electrified keyboards and strings) only begin to set the foundation of this recording, which is further enhanced by layers of colorful horns produced by Washburne and members of the SYOTOS band. With a total running time of 55:56 minutes, Paradise In Trouble includes eleven tracks of what can best be described as Latin jazz without boundaries, or if you need a label, call it creative/free-form Latin jazz. It's not your usual montuno-driven scores with jazz riffs and passages, commonly referred to these days as Latin jazz. Instead, this disc is a wondrous affair with soulful sounds that soothe the spirit. Half of the scores belong to Washburne, with two compositions credited to pianist/trombonist Barry Olsen, and one each to trumpeter John Walsh and reedman Ole Mathisen. Completing the band are Leo Traversa on bass, Vince Cherico on drums, and Wilson "Chembo" Corniel on percussion. Choice tracks include Nuyorican Son, Whatever You Want From Me, the title track, the Willie Colón classic Jazzy, and Money Is the Future Tense.