Based out of Oakland, California, Wild
Mango brings forth an infectious combination of contemporary
funk grooves with Latin Jazz overtones on their CD entitled "Ten."
Perhaps something of a novelty, Wild Mango has been around for
ten years and was founded by an all women line-up of musicianssomething
that is particularly strange in the Latin Jazz world which is
primarily dominated by men.
Over the years, the band has evolved
with some new member. Its current roster includes original members
percussionist Michaelle Goerlitz, Jan Martinelli on electric
bass and Donna Viscuso on woodwinds. They are joined by Gloria
Amaral on lead vocals, Bob Crawford on keyboards, Sandi Poindexter
on electric violin and vovals, with Maria Marquez on vocals,
Paul Van Wageningen and Celso Alberti on drums, Carlos Caro on
guiro, Anthony Blea on violin, guitarist Errol Cooney and Klaudia
Promessi on tenor sax.
The session explodes into a Latin Jazz
merengue groove in "Chantez" with both flute and vocals
performing the melody featuring a bass solo; later, some interchanging
solos with flute and violin. "Ana's Blues" presents
a progressive salsa rhythm with every instrument taking a solo.
"La Tirana" is a slower tempo bolero featuring Gloria
Amaral on lead vocals, then evolving into a tipico descarga guajira
tumbao. The band then switches gears into a funky samba beat
on "Dexter's Dream/Freedon Jazz Dance with Viscuso taking
a nice solo on alto sax.
The next track, "4 A.M." is
a contemporary funky samba that features some ensemble work between
flute and violin with good vocal work. "Olinda" offers
more rhythms from brazil in a funky 3/4 time meter. Vocals and
sax deliver the melody lines with more funk pop grooves on Donna
Viscuso's composition entitled "Weed Wackin'" with
Latin Jazz interludes. On "Sotavento" Jan Martinelli
provides some tight bass lines amid a mild calypso rhythm with
some harmonica sounds by Viscuso. The last track "Liam's
Song"add more funky beats featuring Errol Cooney's guitar
solo plus Viscuso's flute solo on top of a Latin Jazz groove.
Wild Mango present a selection of music
that's fun and adventurous drawing from a variety of music with
a contemporary sound. The overall musicianship is cohesive and
demonstrate a high caliber. Worthy of mention are the talents
of bassist Jan Martinelli, percussionist Michaelle Goerlitz,
and Donna Viscuno on flute/sax--all very strong players. The
combination of voices, violin and flute accentuated by the fusion
of Latin rhythms and pop grooves makes for a unique musical texture
that is the cornerstone of this excellent band.
review by John Davis
JDavis@latnjazzclub.com
Contributing writer
LatinJazzClub Magazine
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