Sheila Smith

Mark Levine and the Latin Tinge: Isla

by Forrest Dylan Bryant
May 15, 2003

Pianist/educator Mark Levine is a master of straight-ahead Latin jazz. The members of his Latin Tinge quartet all share his orientation towards modern bop, enhanced by a remarkable ability to lay down a pretty mean clave beat. On Isla , the group tackles compositions by Cedar Walton and Kenny Garrett as well as standards of both the Latin and popular songbook variety.On Garrett's “Ain't Nothing But the Blues," the tempo is relaxed and the mood keeps cool. Levine's ...