Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Paul Serrato & Co.: Excursions

132

Paul Serrato & Co.: Excursions

By

Sign in to view read count
Paul Serrato & Co.: Excursions
All the music on Paul Serrato's latest excursion is original, except for the Miles Davis tune "Nardis." While the pianist brings in Latin and Brazilian rhythms to add flavour, he navigates mainly in the mainstream and brings along a tidy band to help him along. They get off to a fine start as "Transversal" lights a sparkling path helmed by Reggie Pittman, who plays the trumpet with distinction, exploring and coming up with some strong ideas that go to swell a tune. Serrato takes a lighter line that cavorts and with the congas and drums, adding a liquid base, and the tune makes for happy listening. The drive into hot climes comes through "Summer Blues," a punchy, loping number and another tune that gets its impetus from Pittman.

Brazilian jazz makes for a strong voice that comes in the three-part suite, each part written at a different time and manifesting a distinctive aspect of the music. Conguero Henry Morales, whose layered patterns shape the concepts impeccably, makes it all the more striking. Serrato establishes the tone on the swaying "Central Station Bossa," the rhythm nestling comfortably in the groove he sets up. The mood calms on "Blues in Rio" as Pittman picks up the flugelhorn and brings in a softer tone. And then it's back to the punch as "Assim E" dances in, the beat never letting go of its heady pulse.

They end well enough with "Mayan Moon," introduced by the funky whorl of the bass and congas before the long shimmering lines of the trumpet give it a different cast and it rises to a thundering climax. The effect is quite stunning and makes for a perfect finish to a pleasing album.

Visit Paul Serrato on the web.

Track Listing

Transversal; Afro Chant; Summer Blues; Nardis; The Marrying Kind; Brazilian Suite: Grand Central Bossa, Blues in Rio, Assim E; Mayan Moon

Personnel

Paul Serrato: Steinway, Yamaha P-80; Bryce Sebastien: bass; Dave Delgandio: drums, cabasa; Henry Morales: congas; Reggie Pittman: trumpet, flugelhorn.

Album information

Title: Excursions | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Graffiti Productions

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter 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.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.