Keeper of the Flame

Latin Beat Magazine, Nov, 1998 by Jesse Varela

QUÉ CALOR

Keeper of the Flame

(Spirit Nectar)

This fine Bay Area Latin jazz collective features some of the most seasoned non-Latins on the Latin jazz scene today. With a cast that includes pianist Mark Levine (Willie Bobo, Mongo Santamaría, Cal TJader), percussionist Michael Spiro (Batachanga, Batu Ketu), bassist David Belove (John Santos Machete Ensemble), drummer Paul Van Wageningen (Pete Escovedo, Machete), saxman Ron Stallings (Janis Joplin, Machete), and trombonist Jeff Cressman (Escovedo, Machete), it's top notch. Yet it is Levine who puts this band at the forefront with a distinctive swing and harmonic conception that creates a truly potent Bay Area jazz Latin sound. As a stylist and composer, Levine's credentials are impeccable with acclaimed standards like Serengeti and Linda Chicana. Last year his moda¡mambo Shoshana was reworked as an Acid Jazz vehicle by NYC Bronx DJs "LittLe" Louie Vega and Kenny "Dope" González for their Nuyorican Soul album. Pieces like Keeper of the Flame, Isn't This My Sound Around Me? by Bobby Hutcherson (done in a Puerto Rican bomba style), as well as gorgeous renditions of tunes by Sir Roland Hanna (Let Me Try), Mulgrew Miller (Hand in Hand, Soul-Leo, Leiani's Leap) and a slew of originals. Much of this was inspired by a trip the members took to Cuba in early '97 and is well remembered by Stallings' composition Havana, with Ron on vocals.

The interplay and virtuosity of the ensemble is superb and despite the over-flat recording quality of the disc, the musicianship shines and leaves you fanning yourself, saying "¡que calor!"