Jazz Articles

Luis Munoz: The Dead Man

by James Nadal
April 4, 2017

In a thought-provoking concept of intertwining a short story by Uruguayan writer Horacio Quiroga, with a personal near-death experience set to music, drummer/composer Luis Muñoz offers The Dead Man, as a lesson in living life in the present moment, for that is all there is. Muñoz has been quite productive over the past few years, releasing Luz in 2013, and Voz, in 2015, on his own Pelín Music label. Both records were carefully crafted creations combining Latin vocals ...

Luis Munoz: Invisible

by Paul J. Youngman
January 24, 2011

Invisible is the fifth release on the Pelin label from multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Luis Munoz, who also composed, arranged and orchestrated its nine tracks. The style is Afro-Latin jazz, featuring plenty of percussion instruments, many of them played by the leader. Latin rhythms underlay the contemporary sounding songs in an upbeat and catchy style. The majority of the songs feature excellent instrumentation and arrangements that make for an exciting listen.There is a distinct flow to the album, from ...

Luis Munoz: Of Soul and Shadow

by Chip Boaz
January 25, 2008

An artist's application of structure leaves both positive and negative impacts upon Latin jazz. Rhythmic structures dictate the embedded Latin style and determine melodic phrasing. The harmonic structure provides the improviser a reference point for melodic invention. Structure becomes dangerous when composers strictly impose it upon their performance. The expressive freedom of jazz becomes lost, and the music moves in a commercial direction. Luis Muñoz fights a battle between structure and freedom on Of Soul and Shadow, performing a group ...

Luis Munoz: Vida

by Stephen Latessa
May 27, 2005

Vida is the latest offering from Costa Rican percussionist and composer Luis Muñoz. The music within is lush and inviting, gliding gracefully over an almost constantly moving stream of bubbling percussion. Throughout, Muñoz impresses as much with his arrangements and orchestrations as he does with his instrumental prowess and compositions.

With a tight, multi-part construction, the opening “Mad Bop recalls late period Weather Report, especially when Randy Tico's fretless bass cuts through the mix. “Seveneves boasts some novel ...

Luis Munoz: Vida

by Javier AQ Ortiz
April 13, 2005

As adept as Luis Muñoz is at various percussion instruments, keyboards and piano included, the versatility and sensibility of his writing are also showcased on Vida. He braids various Latin American styles to form an attractive jazzy Bo Derek-like musical hairdo of sorts that travels well in various contexts. Whether it be as background music at home or work, as radio features, driving music, or even for partying with abandon, this compact disc has various delightful alternatives to please even ...