By: Luis "ChiChi" Ernesto
Rating= 1 to 5 (5 being the best)
Rating=4.5

Best Kept Secret
Ralph Irizarry & Timbalaye
2000 Shanachie Records
9 tracks

On this 2nd release of Ralph Irizarry & Timbalaye, Ralph takes this recording to another level. Mixing it up with various fusion jazz sounds, Puerto Rican folklore, soft melodies, hard hitting harmonies, strong grooves, and the man is armed with all. Ralph Irizarry & Timbalaye are one of, if not the top, Latin Jazz group in the world. Ralph's production skills are to a tee. Timbalaye, known for its strong backbone, comes through with the heaviest of heavies, special guest Giovanni Hidalgo. This conga virtuoso, not only lights up the fire on the 8th and 9th track, but also takes the sound to a percussion level beyond imaginable.

It often makes you shake your head in disbelief just to come to think when is this giant ever going to hit the wall. Ralph & Giovanni certainly create magic. Ralph Irizarry & Timbalaye have created their own trademark of hard-hitting breaks that catch you in the unexpected. Fast moving changes that carry on with incredible on-time bell patterns on clave. Tough screaming horn lines, fretless bass riffs, and heavyset Puerto Rican conga patterns.

Timbalaye is: Ralph Irizarry on Timbale kit & clave, Roberto Quintero on Congas, Bongos, Guiro, Shekere, Bata, Waldo Chavez on Electric Bass, Luis Perdomo on Acoustic Piano, Alex Norris on Trumpet and Flugelhorn, Bob Franceschini on Tenor Sax, and Ozzie Melendez on Trombone. They have also brought in special guests Giovanni Hidalgo (Congas), Joe Fiedler (Trombone), Raul Agraz (Trumpet), and Hector ìTitoî Matos (Panderetas, Guicharo).

The highlights of this album have to come on the last 2 tracks.

On the 8th track "Meztiso", Ralph starts out with and amazing break that puts you in a trance. Heavy horn lines that keep you moving and wanting more topped off with a full horn exchange. All 3 make a conversation worth your while. This song is so full of energy that rhythm it brings out the roots in you. In the mid song it comes to a break with Giovanni getting the intro on the Bata to then suddenly take in over to a slow to fast plena. Back to the horn lines when all of the sudden you get this battle of the percussions. The Timbale meets the Congas. Gio and Ralph get it on creating one of the most spectacular sequences.

On the 9th track "Mojo Cubano", Giovanni Hidalgo takes over. Taking you to the heart of the Rumba. It's Cuba written all over it. Hitting the quinto with such virtuosity. The Piano makes the call; the bass line kicks in with the Guaguanco line while the Trumpet suddenly finds its way in being backed up by the others. It suddenly takes a turn to the unexpected! The Piano and the congas delight the ear with there own version of lets Go! This song is the most energetic in the album.

Showing you the skill this musicians bring to you and have taken the art of music. Ralph Irizarry's bell work is flawless, ride work out of this world. This track has a lot of different grooves and changes. It all takes the highlight real when Ralph Irizarry takes a beautiful Timbale solo followed by a complex break in the middle. After, its showtime for Giovanni, showing you again why he is the one to recon with on the Tumbadoras. Giovanni's style could never be duplicated. It is so complete on skill and finesse.

His combinations with all the chops and mixes he incorporates on his solos are too complete for the ear. "Mojo Cubano" then goes into this fast Comparsa groove at the end that has you crying for more. The horns, Piano, Bass, Timbale, congas, is played and speared into you heart. As this song ends, I guarantee, you will play it again.