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# Song Artist Album Label 01 Spring Samba Claudio Roditi Simpatico Resonance Records 02 Mi Amigo El Machista Michael Simon New York Encounter Fresh Sound Records 03 Danz Sol Arturo Stable Quintet Call Origen Records 04 Sobrevivencia Luis Muñoz Invisible Pelin Music 05 Descarga 1492 Roberto Rodriguez Timba Talmud Tzadik Records 06 Triunfal Oscar Feldman Oscar E Familia SunnySide Records 07 Taino Revenge Curtis Brothers Quartet Blood, Spirit, Land, Water, Freedom Truth Revolution Records 08 Saci Perere Nilson Matta’s Brazilian Voyage Copacabana Zoho Music 09 Seventeen/Avisale Cachete Maldonado y Los Majaderos Rumba Boricua Campesina Palo Viejo/Bata Records 10 Ceora Robby Ameen Days In The Life Two and Four Records 11 Blen Blen Blen Mario Ortiz All Star Band Tributo 45 Aniversario Sony Music 12 376 Manante Para Los Engreidos Independent 13 Esta Plena Miguel Zenón Esta Plena Marsalis Music 14 Drume Negrita Roberto Fonseca Akokan Enja Records 15 El Comandante Javier Colina/Antonio Serrano Colina Serrano Project Universal/ContraBaix Records 16 La Candela Viento de Agua Fruta Madura Viento de Agua Records 17 Si o Si Dafnis Prieto Si o Si Quartet Live at Jazz Standard NYC Dafnison Music 18 La Trampera Pablo Aslan Tango Grill Zoho Music 19 Apetecible Alain Perez Apetecible Globomedia Musica 20 Batiricoco Truko y Zaperoko En Plena Rumba Lujuria Records

It seems that the prime directive of the music is to dance madly as one on hot coals or a tightrope or a trampoline. There is never a dearth of surprise in anything that Ameen does–alone, or in conjunction with bandmates such as guitarist Wayne Krantz and bassist Lincoln Goines. Of course the brassmen–Conrad Herwig and Brian Lynch, both deeply in the pocket at all times, light blue flames to the melody trailing in behind it or racing in front with florentine swirls and madcap runs. Trombonist Herwig, in particular, solos in great swathes of sound that begin rather quietly and then build up into mountainous tones of great harmonic consequence. John Beasley–probably missing clave in his wrists–makes up for it all by playing beguiling lines on Hammond B3 and Fender Rhodes.

Ameen is fiery on almost every song, but really pulls out the stops on his stunning composition, “Skateboard Intifada.” The title is brazen as his drumming, with furious rolls of the tom toms and heavily laid bombs on the bass drum at breakneck speed. The funky riff is followed simply but memorably by Goines, Krantz and especially Beasley. The composer also shows great tenderness in his ballad, “Una Muy Anita” and brings new fire to Joe Farrell’s “Sound Down.” “Stagger” is a fine example of a visually driven piece, where Ameen shows great skill in varying the beats to create a feeling of unsteady, but purposeful movement. His off-key figure with guitar and organ is also well knit into the melody. Krantz plays in gut-wrenching style. “RR” is a spectacular duet with conguero, Ritchie Flores.

Essentially, though this is a vehicle, which is crafted to display Ameen’s compositional skills. In this department, he brings off a near flawless performance. The percussionist also shows that he is unafraid to step outside the comfort zones of easy-to-execute rhythms. Nor does he shy away from brash and forthright manners of expression. His songs are based on sound melodies, which he writes cleverly for the bass as well as treble clefs, and this is a rare feat indeed for any percussionist to pull off.

Tracks: 1. Swiftboating; 2. Baakline; 3. Sound Down; 4. 2′s & 3′s; 5. Una Muy Anita; 6. Skateboard Intifada; 7. Ceora; 8. Stagger; 9. RR.

Personnel: Robby Ameen: drums, percussion; John Beasley: piano, Hammond B3, Fender Rhodes; Lincoln Goines: acoustic and electric basses; Wayne Krantz: guitar (1, 2, 4, 6, And 8); Ritchie Flores: congas (3 – 5, 7, 9); Conrad Herwig: trombone (2, 3, 5, 7); Brian Lynch: trumpet (2, 3, 5, 7).

Robby Ameen on the web: www.robbyameen.com

Review written by: Raul da Gama