Edu Tancredi and Bandon 33: Ongoing Dreams

Ongoing Dreams opens with "La Mama Vieja," "the old mama," a tempestuous woman... and tempestuous sounds by Uraguayan pianist/composrer Edu Tancredi. It's a song full of his native country's condone rhythm, spiced with a dollop of the Afro-Cuban sound. A fitting opener for this angular Latin jazz CD.

Tancredi's Bandon 33 is a five horn front line with the regular piano/bass/drums rhythm section and an extra percussionist. The music they make is full of South American shadings— tango, samba, joropo, son —with an undercoat of American big band. Latin jazz with more bite than you might be accustomed to—fierce at times ("La Mama Vieja"); introspectively spiritual ("Levitating Soul"); a slightly truculent, channeled chaos on the title tune.

"Moon Over 33" opens with the unusual, flat sound of the clacking of the claves before it evolves into a two bass duel, backed by a rich and complex texture of percussion.

Ongoing Dreams offers mambos, jazzy brass, some hot cha cha, a couple of lovely ballads, and driving Latin rhythms. It's essential for fans of Latin jazz who are in the market for something a bit different, harder and more boppish than the usual fare... music with a south of the border swagger.

And Tancredi, though he is showcased more as a bandleader/composer here, proves himself to be a superb pianist on the ballads, especially his solo, "Basilio Araujo," where he sways from Bill Evans delicacy to Bud Powell percussion on his instrument.

A fine offering full of Latin spice and brassy sass coupled with a churning rhythmic drive.

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