Orquesta Alto Maiz
Anejando
Catamount Recording
As with a fine wine, most things
become better with age music included. For over a decade now,
the Orquesta Alto Maiz de Jazz Y Salsa has been producing a rich
style of Latin Music from the Heartland of America, Iowa City,
Iowa to be exact. The band has been performing in festivals,
musical venues and concerts and has created a following of fans
from all over.
It gives me great pleasure to share with you my thoughts on
this great group of top-notch talents. In my opinion, they are
creating some of the hottest grooving Latin Jazz and Salsa and
they are doing it with their own unique style. As you will soon
hear and feel, this group swings like crazy! I first heard the
sounds of this outstanding ensemble on their last CD "Live
at Montreaux" and I was more than intrigued. As a matter
of fact, I couldn't wait to contact James Dreier and tell him
that I thoroughly enjoyed the material and that I wanted to hear
the rest of the group's earlier material. Believe me when I tell
you that I was more than delighted and thought to myself "Wow,
where have these guys been and why am I just now hearing about
them?" I was really impressed with their sound and versatility
in all the styles that the group performed in. From Mambo to
Guaguanco to Cha-Cha and Bolero, these guys played with a strong
authority and balance that I wish more bands could have.
This marks their 5th release and I strongly believe that it
has to be the bands finest. This group can play with the best
of them and do not let their origins fool you. They swing with
so much Sabor that if you heard them for the first time you too
would be saying "Where are these cats from! Miami, San Francisco,
Los Angeles, New York? The musicians that collectively make up
Orquesta Alto Maiz de Jazz y Salsa are all first rate and possess
a strong desire to perform Latin music authentically y con mucho
sabor.
In "Anejando", you will hear for yourself the exciting
rhythmic groove that the band has created for all of you lovers
of Latin music. Make no mistake, they have been influenced by
all the greats and legends of the genre but what is most exciting
to me is that they have created a very nice sound all their own.
Tunes like the tender "Madrugada" with its soft bossa
feel and the swaying "Coalescencia" a beautiful bolero
done with such class and with a gorgeous melody will have you
convinced. If not, check out the sassy Boogaloo/Cha Cha "Booga
ñ lee" and the driving mambo beats of "Eddieís
Riff", obviously in tribute to Eddie Palmieri and "Insight
Mambo", a tune that was recorded in the mid sixties by Latin
Jazz legend, vibraphonist Cal Tjader. "Bomba de Corazon",
the Soulful "Elena, Elena" and the frenchy "Vouz
les Vouz", a burning Salsa tune will have you in that party
state of mind. The Afro-Cuban Jazz staple "Mantecaî
is done here as a Descarga (Jam Session) and allows all the fellas
to strut their stuff. Very nice arrangement and tasty solos will
mark this one as one the best renditions of this already legendary
tune.
I could go on and on about how I think you will enjoy this
recording (Can't you tell by now that I dig it?) but what I will
do instead, is to invite you to put this amazing disc on your
player and listen for yourself. I bet you won't be able to sit
still when those scintillating Latin rhythms of the Orquesta
Alto Maiz grab a hold of you. I have nothing but respect for
this group and want to share my enthusiasm and their great sounds
with fans of Latin music from all over. Thank you guys for allowing
me to do the liner notes for this great disc.
A bailar y gozar con La Orquesta Alto Maiz de Jazz y Salsa!
Visit them at their website home for more information www.salsaband.com.
Musicos:
Ed East ñ Lead Vocal, Congas, Timbales, Percussion, Flute
Jim Drier- Background Vocals, Congas, Timbales, Drum Set, Percussion
Paul Cunliffe- Congas, Bongos, Timbales, Drum Set, Percussion
Dan Hummel- Timbales, Bongos, Percussion
Bob Washut- Keyboards
Steve Grimore- Background Vocals, Guitar
Steve Charlson- Bass
Bob Thompson- Alto & Tenor Sax, Flute
Rich Medd- Trombone
Brent Sandy- Background Vocals, Lead Trumpet, Flugelhorn
By Erik Chico Manqueros
Host & Producer of The Latin
Style of Jazz and Contributing writer
Latin Style Magazine, LatinJazzClub.com
