Chris Washburne and the SYOTOS Band: The Other Side (El Otro Lado)

Dedicated to Tito Puente, Chris Washburne's second recording with his stellar SYOTOS band brings fresh air to a staid genre. The Latin jazz umbrella covers a lot of territory. Washburne's focus is on salsa dance music for its starting point. You can dance to it. Just try to keep still. However, to the salsa formula, the bandleader adds somewhat more complex jazz elements and searing solos. You get the best of both worlds. This is music you can appreciate, while you dance with your partner. Washburne brings both a strong formal education and a world of experience to the forum. His dues-paying days with the orchestras of Eddie Palmieri, Chico O'Farrill and Tito Puente came amid studies for degrees from three respected music schools. A Bachelor of Music degree in classical trombone from the University of Wisconsin, a Master of Music degree in Third Stream studies from the New England Conservatory, and a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from Columbia University served to provide Washburne's foundation. His interest in Latin jazz and salsa provided the fuel.

Washburne's title track contains deep modern jazz harmonic twists. The combination of his formal studies and urban experience afford Washburne the tools to express in a comfortable language. His 7-piece band smokes with authority. Washburne, Walsh and Mathisen comprise an exciting front line, dedicated to lyricism and tonal beauty. Pianist Olsen, along with Swartz, Cherico and Corniel, provide tasteful accompaniment and powerful bursts of passion. Their cohesion comes after five years of weekly workouts at New York's Lower East Side Nuyorican Poet's Café. A working band such as this promotes growth. Washburne's second album speaks well for a hard-working band and its inspired leader.