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Record Label Profiles
ZOHO Music
Elliott Simon
Elliott enjoys music with energy, chops and tension; whether it be from the mainstream or the outermost fringe.
ZOHO's younger artists are certainly at the cutting edge of Latin jazz but two new releases from more veteran musicians also entice. Released just last month, Funky Cha, is the second label offering from Harvie S, using a hotter-than-hot rhythm section consisting of drummer "Beaver Busch, conguero "Chembo Corniel and percussionist Ernie Colon to generate a full-speed-ahead success. The world of Latin jazz is still mourning the recent passing of its great conguero and gentleman Ray Barretto. ZOHO is preparing his last recording, Standards Rican-ditioned, for a summer release and it is already the label's most highly anticipated album. For this date, Barretto tapped his son Chris to perform on alto sax along with the finest Puerto Rican musicians in the business: pianist Hilton Ruiz, David Sanchez on tenor, trombonist Papo Vazquez, bassist John Benitez and Adam Cruz on drums. Becker discusses this important recording, "Ray and I got together last summer...and he had a particular idea in mind...he wanted to put a Puerto Rican All-Star group together and have them play material that they never had played before... standards from the '40s on the straight ahead side. This is really a record in the style of a '50s blowing session. In my humble opinion this is one of Ray's greatest records ever. We have a very lively and stunning musical statement here. With its keen eye to the future and healthy respect for tradition, ZOHO more than delivers its promise of "Latin/jazz with a New York vibe .
