Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet – Bien! Bien! (Patois Records 2009)

Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet – Bien! Bien! (Patois Records 2009)

The music with clave that began with Machito’s “Tanga,” and George Russell’s “Cubana-Be Cubana-Bop” has come a long way. With clave in his soul, trombonist Wayne Wallace proves yet again on his record Bien Bien! that the cheer of the music is truly infectious. Wallace is rare among musicians who can “swing” as well as he can “clave.” He has that and all kinds of shuffle rhythms and backbeats bubbling under the skin. This is why he can produce such glorious music even with just a few notes on his ‘bone and this record is full of it.

On Bien Bien! Wayne Wallace has made several outstanding things happen. First, he employs two trombonists other than himself -Julian Priester and Dave Martell. There are no saxophones or trumpets and they are not missed at all. Vocalists Kenny Washington and Orlando Torriente share English and Spanish honors on one track. Between Paul van Wageningen on drums and Michael Spiro, there appears to be a whole percussion orchestra. Pianist, Murray Lowe brilliantly explores the rhythms hidden in the melodies, with bassist David Belove thumping the strings behind and in front of him every so often.

Bien Bien! is a cheerful package -at least until the eighth track- because throughout, Wallace employes his characteristic swaggering tone. He is also joined in the festivities by Priester and Martell. Moreover, the trombone is that kind of instrument that can sound languid and sexy. It is also the most naturally human voice-like of instruments in the woodwinds family. Wallace, Priester and Martell have a fine time playing this characteristic to the max. Then the songs: On “Freedom Jazz Dance” Torriente and Washington, mimic the “baile” with superb rap and corazon. Julian Priester purrs softly like a jaguar on his part of the solo on both “Building Bridges” and “Going Up.” In addition, he growls with a mighty swell on both tracks. Dave Martell is comparatively lively -a leaping gazelle to Priester’s cat. Wallace, of course, is soulful and complete throughout -especially on “In A Sentimental Mood.” “Mojito Café” is characteristic of the sublime rhythm of the record throughout.

“Africa” alone makes this record worthwhile. Wallace’s wailing arrangement also features a slow build up of percussion to a thunderous low -with the bass kicking in mightily, followed by bright splashes of cymbals. The song -as Coltrane conceived it, is a musical journey from slavery to freedom. Wallace inspired interpretation adds to trombone literature. The wistfullness of the trombone as it breaks down the mournful episode of slavery to the eventual triumph of freedom is poignant and unforgettable. The overall crunching rhythm of the song mimics the many oars and chains that once helped sail those ancient ships to America. Best of all, the sharp contrast of this version to the original that Coltrane and Eric Dolphy created -no brass and only trombones here- is remarkable and fresh. On the merits of “Africa” alone, the record represents a high point for Wayne Wallace.

Tracks: Bien Bien!; Freedom Jazz Dance; Mojito Café; Building Bridges; In A Sentimental Mood; Playa Negra; Going Up (¡Súbete!); Solid; Africa (for Ron Stallings) .

Personnel: Wayne Wallace: trombone, vocals; Murray Low: piano, vocals; Mike Spiro: percussion, vocals; David Belove: bass, vocals; Paul van Wageningen: trap drums, vocals. Special Guests: Julian Priester: trombone (1st solo – 4, 1st solo – 7); Dave Martell: trombone (2nd solo – 4, snd solo on duet – 7); Kenny Washington: English lead vocals (2); Orlando Torriente: Spanish lead vocals (2); David Chaidez: background vocals (2); Alexa Weber Morales: background vocals (2); Karen Aczon: background vocals (2); Sakai: background vocals (2); Jody Noble: background vocals (2); Sheryl Lynn Thomas: background vocals (2); Ron Stallings: background vocals (2).

Wayne Wallace on the web: www.walacomusic.com

Review written by: Raul da Gama

Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet – Infinity (Patois Records 2008)

The attempt to make a thoughtful album and one that is supremely entertaining and musically superlative is perhaps one of the most daunting tasks that a musician can undertake. To find this in an album is rare and that is what makes Infinity by the Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet so much of an event that just cannot be ignored. It is usually a challenge to even explain the context of the word and phenomenon of “infinity” even for mathematically inclined people. For an artist it is even more rare to find precisely what this could mean. The temptation is always to veer towards the abstract and that is not the best way to present a musical expedition – especially as musical notes have finite pitch, tones and terminal values.

But Wallace appears to have found the exact center of the word “infinity” in meaning context and expression. The fact that he plays a trombone and that too with such unbridled genius, of course, gives him a head start. And then to discover, with Pablo Neruda, that “…everything alive has two sides/a word is one wing of silence/fire has its cold half/I love you in order to begin to love you/to start infinity again…” This is almost magical intuition. Moreover to find the sound of the past that we have never got to hear, but to find in its echoes a place for the sound of this Latin Jazz Quintet as it traverses through time and sound landscapes…with what the Brazilian world (at least) would describe as “alegria”… This too is rare and unforgettable and ingenious.

Wayne Wallace has chosen to show the connectivity of the ancient with the modern in an unbroken rhythmic line from African elements in Latin music to the American invention of jazz. Many scholars have explored this with clever theses. Many musicians also have undertaken the journey with fine results. Wallace surpasses most of them. His music is both played and recorded with a view to effect the excitement of a live performance. So even though the music may be carefully selected to pay tribute to the major idiomatic types of old and new Latin musical forms, each of these songs appears to have been performed for a very real “live” audience that has been explicitly imagined.

It is impossible to listen to the title track or “Songo Colorado,” “As Cores da Menina,” and “Cha-Cha de Alegria” without an unconscious heave of the shoulders or getting up and impulsively and with great flourish to samba or salsa. Wallace’s trombone chops are masterly throughout. But not only that, Michael Spiro sounds like a percussion ensemble every time he sets out to lay down the rhythmic lines with his rapid fire timbales, quirky cuica and rounded guiro, and also with sensuous chekere and grand excursions on the batá and conga. His solos on “Infinity” and “Songo Colorado” in particular are absolutely unforgettable. Paul van Wageningen on regular traps provides exquisite harmonic coverage. David Belove can make his bass sensual too as he plucks and slaps his way to conjuring up a string section on his own. Roger Glenn on flute and on vibes is simply marvelous. Special mention is also due for all the vocalists, especially Orlando Torriente and Jackie Ryan, who is a perfect foil for the breathy sound of the trombone.

Oddly enough the high point of the record may be the perfect vehicle for the trombone – the wonderfully mournful version of “Memories of You,” correctly attributed to Eubie Blake and Andy Razaf in the credits. And even though Wallace mistakenly attributes to “Fats” Waller in his notes to the song, this is only a minor blimp in an otherwise perfect package.

Tracks: Infinity; Songo Colorado; As Cores da Menina; Love Walked In; Memories of You; TBA; Close Your eyes; Cha-Cha de Alegria; Straight Life/Mr. Clean.

Personnel: Wayne Wallace: tenor and alto trombones, Wagner Tuba, melodica, arrangements and vocals; David Belove: bass; Murray Low: piano and keyboard; Michael Spiro: congas, batá, guiro, requinto, timbales, shekere, cuica, and percussion arrangements; Paul van Wageningen: trap drums.

Special Guests: Roger Glenn: flute and vibraphone (8); Jackie Ryan: vocal (4 & 7); Orlando Torriente: lead vocal (2); Karen Aczon, David Chaidez, Alexa Weber Morales, Jody Noble, Sakai, Stallings and Sheryl Lynn Thomas: background vocals throughout.

Wayne Wallace on the web: www.walacomusic.com | www.myspace.com/patoisrecords

Review written by: Raul da Gama