Cal State Sacramento Latin Jazz Ensemble: Con Sentimiento

I've always been fond of Latin music but have often been turned off because so much of it is vocal. No such problem here; everything is instrumental, and even though most of the guys in Cal State University Sacramento's Latin Jazz Ensemble are Anglo, their rhythmic awareness invests the music with an authenticity reminiscent of the most seasoned groups from south of the border.

In other words, they play Latin the way it is meant to be played, choosing the proper tempos and letting the melodies and harmonies flow naturally and speak for themselves. Much depends, of course, on the rhythm section, and the CSUS ensemble has a good one, with Andro Rios (bongos, percussion), Esteban Varelas (congas, percussion) and Tyler Blanton (vibes, timbales, percussion) reinforcing the core group—pianist Matt McFarland, bassist Matt Robinson and drummer Mike Johnston. Dominic Garcia (timbales) sits in on "Song for Chano."?

The front line isn't bad either, with director Steve Roach on trumpet alongside alto Jon Hoops, tenor Aaron Thurman, baritone Cory Cunningham and trombonist Chris Cook. Solos are relatively brief but nonetheless meaty. Album details are sparse, and no composer/arranger credits are given. The opening number, "Chucho,"? was presumably written as a tribute to pianist Chucho Valdes, "Song for Chano"? for the great percussionist Chano Pozo. I can't identify all of the various rhythms by name, but there is a cheerful "Midnight Mambo,"? and the session closes with a vigorous "Cha-Cha-Cha."?

The CSUS ensemble has a clear respect for the Latin tradition and plays the music, as the album's title suggests, Con Sentimiento. Best of all, there are no vocals. The recorded sound, it must be noted, is nothing to applaud, nor is the 42:24 playing time.