Eric Frazier: That Place

Eric Frazier has been at it a long time, the better part of a quarter century. He started out as a public school teacher and administrator in New York City, and became a conga drummer out of his interest in African music. He has, as the saying goes, been around, played at venues like The Knitting Factory and worked with people like Pharoah Sanders and Jack McDuff. This is not his first CD by any means, and some reviews of earlier ones characterized Frazier's music as "self affirming." Frazier touches all sorts of genres, especially Latino and salsa variants, so if these appeal to a listener, this recording will as well. Frazier, who is more a narrator than a vocalist, is backed by some terrific musicians, including Benito Gonzales and Lonnie Plaxico. He is a presence in the New York community, but probably less well known elsewhere.

The program on offer is a mix, beginning with the amusing "The Panther Woman." There are twelve tracks in all. "Mucho Caliente" is a montuno, familiar but upbeat. "Fresh Money" is wry, a kind of career narration any musician might appreciate. "Fu Man Shu" can best be characterized as a travelogue, and leave it at that.

No one will mistake this for chamber jazz, but it obviously is not meant to be. It will probably work very well to lubricate a party that is already well underway, Or perhaps just getting started.