Jazz Articles about Luchito Munoz

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: Invisible

by Raul d'Gama Rose
May 6, 2010

Luis Munoz Invisible Pelin Music 2010

Keyboardist and percussionist Luis Muñoz thinks with an open palette of sound. His aural vision embraces a wide spectrum of color and tone texture, from the sophisticated rough and tumble of trance-like Afro-centric ritual music to the delightful swing of idiomatic phrases that spring from the joyous spirit of jazz. He also draws from habanera, calypso, tangos and rondos, and from European ecclesiastical music and the heartfelt emotion ...

Luis Munoz: Invisible

by Jerry D'Souza
April 14, 2010

Luis Muñoz is a man of many parts. Not only does he play several instruments, he composed, arranged and orchestrated all the music on this recording. His adaptability is further underscored by the scope of his writing that encompasses several styles all of which make an impact.

Muñoz, who was born in Costa Rica, played in rock and jazz groups in his native country before moving to the United States in 1974. He soon began writing music for documentaries, animation ...

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 ...