The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective: Cortadito

The Afro-Caribbean Collective is a high-energy nonet led by Puerto Rican-born guitarist Jose Guzman. On Cortadito, the ensemble's fourth album, the accent as always is on the lively rhythms and charming melodies of Guzman's home country and nearby equatorial locales.

There is one immediate problem, as Guzman writes that his composition "Orchard Downs" is the opening number, whereas the album's jacket places his "Holande Pa Uste" in the lead-off spot and lists "Orchard Downs" as the finale. From Guzman's description, it does seem as though "Orchard Downs" takes the first swing; on the other hand, tenor saxophonist Brian Stark's' "El Volcan," which, according to Guzman, is the album's last number, is listed on the jacket as number four among seven.

Based on playing times, it appears that Guzman is right and the jacket's playlist is incorrect. "Orchard Downs" bats first, and it is most definitely the proper way in which to open any event, pairing a lively songo rhythm with sharp solos by Guzman, Stark, trumpeter Victor Garcia and trombonist Ben Carrasquillo. The bomba "Holande Pa Uste" is (presumably) next up, its staccato cadence undergirding agile solos by Garcia, Stark and Guzman, with yeoman work by brass, winds and rhythm.

In fact, rhythm is at the forefront on every number, with bassist Andrey Goncalves reinforced by Jose Natal on barril, Javier Quintana (congas, barril), Victor Gonzalez (bongos) and Michael Rodriguez (timbales). Together, they make certain that no rhythmic phrase is soft-pedaled or overlooked.

The cha-cha "A Sunday Kind of Day" (or, as Guzman writes, "A Sunny Kind of Day") slows the pace to welcome perceptive solos by Garcia, Guzman and trombonist Carrasquillo, while Roberto Cantoral's soulful "El Reloj," written for Guzman's late father, moves at an even slower pace before Guzman's bomba "Witches Dance" raises the heat and his galloping "Terminal 5" (featuring Garcia's muted trumpet) lowers it again. The powerful "El Volcan" neatly wraps the handsome package, leaving room for impressive farewell statements by Stark, Carrasquillo and Garcia to complement the ensemble's customary brio.

Cortadito marks another strong performance by the talented A-CJC, one that should please not only its Latin-devoted base but almost anyone who appreciates luminous contemporary jazz that swings hard and is harmonically and rhythmically pleasurable.