Reviewed: 2018-01-02
Genre: Jazz
FCCs: none
Review: This collective of seasoned musicians delivers beautifully on the promise of the album’s title. The abiding respect they have for the Afro-Latino rhythms is amply demonstrated in the authenticity with which they are played and built upon. They artfully interact, support and push each other in a spirit of comradery. The result is a lovingly arrayed collection of mostly original compositions by contemporary composers who are also virtuosic players performing on this recording.
If You Like: Chick Corea, Airto, Chucho Valdez, Arturo O’Farrill
Track Review (favorites denoted by *):
*1/ Rhythm Rising (6:31) – percussion/piano starts> uptempo jam> electric piano solo> sax solo> uptempo jam> quick stop
*2/ Running In Place (4:00) – percussion starts> uptempo jam> guitar solo> piano solo> uptempo jam> quick stop
3/ Inversions (4:09) – full band starts> uptempo jam> sax solo> guitar solo> vibes solo> uptempo jam> quick stop
**4/ Soul Six (7:01) - guitar starts> uptempo jam> sizzling guitar solo> sax solo> uptempo jam> quick stop
5/ Sonic Tonic (4:54) – piano starts> uptempo jam> synth solo> percussion solo> uptempo jam> quick stop
*6/ Stilts (4:57) – full band starts> uptempo jam> sax solo> piano solo> uptempo jam> guitar solo> uptempo jam> quick stop
**7/ Un Poco Loco (6:22) – percussion starts> uptempo jam> percussion solo. Uptempo jam> sax solo> piano solo> uptempo jam> trumpet solo> uptempo jam> quick stop
*8/ Bossa Dorado (4:48) – piano starts> midtempo jam> flute solo swings uptempo> uptempo jam> piano solo> uptempo jam> guitar solo> uptempo jam> quick stop
*9/ Little T (6:28) – full band starts> slow jam> piano solo> sax solo> guitar solo> slow jam> slow fade
*10/ Up In Smoke (6:39) – percussion starts> uptempo jam> guitar solo> piano solo> uptempo jam> sax solo> quick fade