Sabroso Jazz Latino from Spain
La Calle Caliente Latin Jazz Band
Autor Records (Spain)
If you enjoy hot
Smokiní Afro-Cuban grooves, you will enjoy this great
Latin Jazz band from Spain. That is right España! La Calle
Caliente Latin Jazz Band is one swinging and creative group.
This self-titled gem has got to be considered as one this yearís
outstanding recordings.
This recording has found its way over to the United States
and Latin Jazz DJs from coast to coast are giving this great
disc some well deserved airplay. It is one of those releases
that you don't want to have excluded from your musical library.
It is that good!
The band is made up of a varied cast of members hailing from
Cuba, Panama, The United States and of course, Spain. They all
are top-notch and have developed an explosive sound. On this
recording the band pays tribute to a few Jazz and Latin Classics
that have inspired them in one way or another and they demonstrate
their composition and creative skills with some wonderful original
tunes.
The session starts off with an impressive original "Radio
Bemba." This is not only very hip, it swings with strong
interplay from the horn and percussion sections. I especially
enjoyed the solos from Jaime Muela (flute), Candido Mijares (tenor
sax) and Manuel Machado(flugel horn). "Tierra Sonada"
is another original that highlights the band's creativity with
a sophisticated and rhythmic arrangement. This is what makes
Afro-Cuban Jazz so enjoyable. A lot of swing and movimiento on
this one. "La Negra Tomasa", which is traditionally
done with a Cumbia beat, was done here with a complex rhythmic
structure that starts off as a rumba then melts into a melodic
Mambo. I was very impressed with Piano solo by Victor Borland.
"Illusion" is another original by the afore-mentioned;
Victor Borland and I really dug this tune. Great intro and lead
by Candido Mijares plays alto sax on this tasty Cha-Cha laced
tune. Nice changes and the bridge allows the band to have some
fun. "Tu Me Acostumbraste" gets the tender bolero treatment
it deserves with great playing by Manuel Machado on flugel horn
and Antonio Serrano on harmonica. "Cat Dance" is a
cooking mambo that allows for some great improvisation and swing.
Bobby Martinez, makes a guest appearance here on flute and we
hear a tremendous solo on the drums by Yayo Morales.
"Dos Mas Uno" is a fiery and swinging tune that
has many different elements and it sounds so nice. Moises Porro
is especially tight on congas along with Osvaldo Varona on timbales.
What a great percussion duo they create. The band pays a special
tribute to the great Dizzy Gillespie on his composition of "Things
to Come." The tune sways with a rhythmic and tonal sophistication
that is worthy of becoming a standout on this already stellar
disc. "Alone Together" & "Chelsea Bridge"
closes out this session with the band once again expanding on
some classic tunes with their own unique and creative Latin Jazz
ala España treatment.
Take it from me; La Calle Caliente Latin Jazz Band is one
of those groups that will create a stir within the Latin Jazz
community for a long time to come. These guys love Latin Jazz
and respect it's deep tradition by interpreting and performing
in a classic and distinctive style.
Let's all applaud them for their contribution and let's enjoy
the sabroso sounds of La Calle Caliente desde España.
By Erik Chico Manqueros
Host & Producer of The Latin
Style of Jazz and Contributing writer
Latin Style Magazine, LatinJazzClub.com
