Based upon the musicians who are involved with this project, one might expect something fresh, vibrant, and jubilant. Nonetheless, the trio along with special guest, multi-reedman Steve Slagle substantiated my suspicions. Percussionist Manolo Badrena, who has recorded and performed with Weather Report, Steve Khan, and others, propels this Latin tinged band through a series of memorably melodic pieces. The criminally under-recognized jazz guitarist Dave Stryker injects fluid progressions and peppery single note leads into a set also featuring first call session bassist Andy McKee. Essentially, the band melds jazzy themes with Afro-Cuban rhythms and Brazilian sambas amid a willingness to expound upon concepts in true improvising fashion. Here, the listener is afforded the best of both worlds as the musicians’ jab and spar amid some hearty solo spots and Badrena’s exuberant vocalise. They bridge the gap between Latin and contemporary jazz, but one of the dominant aspects resides within their ability to render beguiling themes with adventurous exchanges. While they toss a few shrewdly concocted deviations into the mix. Recommended!
All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.
You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
We sent a confirmation message to . Look for it, then click the link to activate your account. If you don’t see the email in your inbox, check your spam, bulk or promotions folder.