Paquito D’Rivera – Panamericana Suite (MCG Jazz – 2010)

The importance of Paquito D’Rivera’s Panamericana Suite cannot be diminished although it was released almost six months ago. D’Rivera premiered this Suite when he and his Orchestra made a stellar appearance playing a dramatic version of this chart in Fernando Trueba’s seminal film, Calle 54. However on this live performance, released in November 2010, D’Rivera and his Panamericana Orchestra embellish the suite with gorgeous other aspects of [...]

Bobby Matos & His Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble – Beautiful As The Moon

The master timbalero, Bobby Matos not only carries on the great tradition of the timbales that he inherited from El Rey, Tito Puente, but finding inspiration in holistic healing, he has also developed deep roots in a Zen-like alchemy that melds mambo and rumba, with the jazz idiom. And then there is that delightful surprise that Matos springs—a magical touch of Jewish klezmer, rooted in an authentic Yiddish tradition. The results are always marvellous [...]

Phil Hawkins – Sugarcane Suite (P. Note Music – 2010)

The remarkable aspect of Phil Hawkins’ Sugarcane Suite is the fact that it connects seemingly disparate elements into a cohesive whole with cheerful alacrity. The resulting suite conjures a vivid expedition, a kind of rhythmic voyage that hugs the Caribbean coast, plunging several times into Brazilian waters. How Hawkins, a superb steel pans player, joins the dots in with his high-wire act is one of those mysteries that can only exist when [...]

Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble – Blueprints (Chicago Sessions)

Darwin Noguera is a sublime talent. Not only does he have extraordinary technique, something he seems to have worked hard on, but he is brilliantly expressive and he has the dynamic that enables him to him to annunciate in various idioms and metaphors although his strongest is one with a heavy Latin underpinning—especially on this Big Band album, Blueprint, which he appears to have co-created with his alter ego, the trumpet playing Victor García [...]

Michael Simon – New York Encounter (Fresh Sound – 2009)

It is not obvious that Michael Simon is a native of Venezuela, who owes as much to that tradition as he does to the jazz one that he weaves in and out of. But then nothing is obvious about Michael Simon: not his trumpet-playing antecedents, nor his compositional ones, or who he follows—figuratively-speaking, of course. However, it is safe to say that his musical voice burns with a quiet fire, just like that of his brother, the pianist, Edward [...]

Diego Urcola Quartet – Appreciation (CAM Jazz/Sunnyside – 2011)

Diego Urcola’s is a voice that remained somewhat hidden—certainly tucked away—for two decades in Paquito D’Rivera’s quintet. And then there was the subdued role he played in Los Guachos, the fabulous larger ensemble. However the graceful candour of his voice is irrepressible and it was only a matter of time when he would be heard for what he really is and plays. Urcola is distinct and a singular artist in the manner of his more famous countryman Leandro [...]

Glenda Del E – Q-Ban Mixology (Self-Produced – 2010)

If Glenda del E succeeds in doing what she has set out to do with Q-Ban Mixology, she will be one of the few Cuban artists, who include the majestic Gloria Estefan, to meld disparate musical idioms with traditional Cuban ones in a popular metaphor. There is no name for this kind of music. The word “popular” has become so tainted because there is a good deal of over-produced music is thrust upon the listener and aficionado that real talent often passes [...]

Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orch – 40 Acres and a Burro

There may be a tongue-in-cheek aspect to Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra’s album, 40 Acres and a Burro (Zoho Music – 2011). The title suggests, as O’Farrill explains, the so-called “settlement” which newly-emancipated African Americans received at the end of the Civil War as well as the stereotypical manner in which the Latino population is viewed by the rest of the American population. But perhaps the State of the Union may not [...]

Mark Weinstein – Jazz Brasil (Jazzheads – 2010)

Mark Weinstein has quietly established himself as one of the most wildly inventive flutists in modern memory. He is also one of the finest virtuoso players in the entire spectrum of 20th and 21st century music. His only rivals may well be the late Eric Dolphy, the Canadians, Jane Bunnett and Bill McBirnie, and of course the great James Galway. Weinstein is radically different from Dolphy, who imparted a speech-like quality to his flute [...]

Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet – To Hear From There

Trombonist, Wayne Wallace is very probably one of the most melodic players on his instrument. And although he might inhabit a somewhat narrow range—eschewing the very high register—he is also one of the most expressive trombone players today. His husky tone is one of a kind and gives his playing tremendous character. Moreover, he is one of the few players who comfortable in virtually every idiom and this is something unique as it enables him to extend his playing [...]