My first impression
of this recording was that this was not just another attempt
to fuse a few styles of play together and call it Latin Jazz.
Mark Towns from Houston, Texas has created a pure and original
collection of music in this new effort. This is clean and crisp
music.
I first heard of Mark Towns when I picked up a CD a few years
ago by a Houston based Latin Jazz/Salsa group known as the Norma
Zenteno Band. I was intrigued with the sound that the group had
created. It was a sound developed by Mark Towns, which used the
guitar as the lead rhythm instrument in lieu of the Piano. Well,
needless to say, I liked it and it certainly reminded me of the
sound that Willie Bobo had in the early sixties with Sonny Henry
on guitar. Mark is a talent whose time has come and with this
new recording he will demonstrate to you the reason why.
On this exciting recording Flamenco Jazz Latino you will hear
pure, emotion driven music. After all, isn't what music is all
about? I mean, music is heard and played to express emotions.
Happiness, comfort, love and relaxation are a few examples. On
this disc Mark has done a wonderful job of covering a wide array
of emotions with the tunes he wrote. You will hear spicy merengue
influenced numbers, sultry boleros & guarijas, moving mambos
and all with the right touch of originality that comes from the
heart and soul of Mark's guitar.
Special guests on the disc include the legendary Hubert
Laws and Kirk Whalum. Mark also employed the talents
of percussionist Douglas Guevara and Jorge Orta,
who formerly worked with the popular latin music group Grupo
Niche. Along with Cuban Pianist Rainel Pino and bassist
Anibal Ambert they work to create some beautifully textured
music.
Listen to the interplay and arrangements that creates a treat
for the listener in tunes like "Medley: The Way / La Via",
"Sabrosa", and the tasty "Chucho". All the
tunes here will either make you get up and move or sit back and
enjoy. I really like the boleros here "Like in the wind",
"Wondering", "Wind of the Mountain" which
features the flute stylings of Hubert Laws. Listen to the technique
Mark possesses on guitar and how these tunes shine with his style
of play.
I look forward to hearing more from Mark and watching him
grow as one of the new guys on the Latin Jazz scene. With his
creativity and unique sound there is more than enough room for
him in the Latin Jazz world.
This recording gets 2 congas up!!
For more information on Mark and Flamenco Jazz Latino visit
his Web site at http://www.marktowns.com
By Erik Chico Manqueros
Host & Producer of The Latin
Style of Jazz and Contributing writer
Latin Style Magazine, LatinJazzClub.com
