Nature is stratified; therefore human endeavors are too. When applied to music, such geographically informed perspectives yield somewhat novel ways of approaching things. Take the case of the Spanish-named Bay Area group Mas Cabeza -or “More Head”- as an example. A way of assessing their worth is identifying the location of their vein within musical grounds. Let’s dig in…

Layers of varying composition, function and even economic value support the upper deposits of the ground upon which we thread daily. Mas Cabeza is the type of Latin Jazz group that serves its function within the local “B-Circuit” layers. You will not find gold here, nor silver, but Mas Cabeza's musical geological position remains important nonetheless. It is in the small venues, early opening acts of festivals and similar strata where many musical things thrive. Those types of bands, such as Mas Cabeza, do serve as maturing chambers, too. As for the CD…

Mas Cabeza is obviously informed by some of the most popular Cuban rhythmic foundations of today and yesteryear, including Son, Guaguancó, Pilón, Conga and Songo. The performances smack of the kind of fun and abandon upper level, or so-called “serious amateurs,” have. The members of Mas Cabeza produced and composed all the material among themselves, although most original cuts are from Morehead. E=Mas Cabeza² was recorded by students and enjoys limited technical audio prowess.

Think of E=Mas Cabeza² as the type of CD you would buy from a group playing early in a festival, outside or inside an eatery, or any other type of small venue, and you will be well advised about the quality of the content. There are, however, emotions and experiences to be had in those lower and midrange recordings and performances that elude better talented and experienced acts…

Contact: www.mascabeza.com .

Track listing: 1. Descarga Mas Cabeza 2. Son Las Tres 3. Afro Del Fuente 4. Songo Maestro 5. GMS ritmo 6. Sushi flower 7. The Running 8. All The Things You Are 9. Los Cabezones Dub

Personnel: Bass, electric guitar and vocals: Ezra Gale. Congas: Alan Rivera. Drums & Lead vocal: Pepe Jacobo. Rhodes keyboard, all synthesizers, and acoustic guitars: Patrick Morehead. Trombone: Adam Theis (2). Trumpet: Darren Johnson (2-3).

Style: Latin/World
Published: January 15, 2003

Read more reviews of E=Mas Cabeza2.

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