Carlos Jimenez & Mambo Dulcet: Red Tailed Hawk

Lively danceable Latin music comes alive on flautist Carlos Jimenez and his Mambo Dulcet band's Red Tailed Hawk, presenting six originals and four covers on a landscape of hot Afro-Cuban rhythms. Jimenez and his group navigate through the high flying winds of the genre, incorporating elements of salsa and jazz in a decidedly shoulder-moving session of Latin beats. Like fellow jazz man Mark Weinstein, Jimenez has become a flautist of note and a new exponent of the genre. With this swinging affair, Jimenez takes another leap forward in cementing his well-deserved reputation as a talented composer and skilled player.

Red Tailed Hawk's spicy Afro-Cuban sound is evident right from the opening "Tanto Rogarte." Drenched in Latin rhythms, Jimenez tees off with one burst after another, joined by pianist/vocalist Edy Martinez, timbalist George Cintron and cuongero Roberto Juan Rodriguez in a sample of what's to come. Jimenez is quite a vocalist in his own right and displays this side of his talent on "Goza Nena," the lengthy "Alma Con Alma," "La Playa," and a Latin-tinged treatment of the jazz standard "My One & Only Love."

The jazz influence shines through on the title track, with beautiful instrumentals provided by Jimenez , guitarist John Guth and violinist Lewis Kahn. There are some terrific mambo rhythms on Rolando Lozano's "Mambo Terrifico" and the light texture of "Cachita" before the set winds down on the very infectious "Tomando Café," a sensational finale that features trumpeter Richie Viruet, Kahn on trombone and the leader on piano and flute, capping off an exciting and gyrating Latin-style musical treat.

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