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Best Recordings of the Year 2007
By Danilo Navas and Tomas Peña
Editor's Note: The following list is a selection of CDs we had access to listen over the course of the past year. Surely, we missed some other exceptional productions for different reasons, but although this is not a "definitive" list, it is however representative of the best recordings released in 2007. |
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Mark
Weinstein - Con Alma / Jazzheads Records / 2007 - USA
www.jazzfluteweinstein.com
"It
is my attempt to connect with a larger audience by addressing
the Latin jazz tradition, as it is generally understood. It
is also an attempt to display my bebop chops as a flute player.
By playing classics and referencing the harmonic vocabulary
of the saxophone tradition, I am asking to be evaluated in light
of those standards rather than by the flute tradition that comes
out of Charanga flute..." Read
our full interview. |
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Marlon
Simon - In Case You Missed It / Jazzheads Records / 2007 - USA
www.marlonsimon.com
Venezuelan
percussionist Marlon Simon is a tremendous composer and arranger.
"In Case You Missed It" is his fourth CD with the
Nagual Spirits. A project funded by Chamber Music America, this
recording is dedicated to the memory of Hilton Ruiz and John
Stubblefield. Assisted by his brother, pianist Edward Simon,
on the musical direction, Marlon delivers a top-notch performance.
His ensemble is beautifully augmented with strings. |
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Papo
Vazquez - From the Badlands / Picaro Records / 2007 - USA
www.papovazquez.com
Leave
it to Papo Vazquez to come up with a title that evokes the image
of riding shotgun through the streets of the Wild West! Actually,
there is more to the title than meets the eye. According to
Papo, "I grew up in 'the badlands' of North Philly. My
father owned the neighborhood bodega and we were the only Puerto
Ricans in the hood during the early 70s..." Read
our full review. |
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Bobby
Sanabria - Big Band Urban Folktales / Jazzheads Records / 2007
- USA
www.bobbysanabria.com
Drummer, percussionist,
composer, arranger, recording artist, producer, educator and
bandleader. These are many hats to be worn by a single artist.
But it's an increasingly common situation in the actual development
of the musical industry. A truly delightful recording, "Big
Band Urban Folktales" is Bobby Sanabria's fourth release.
In it, he pays tribute to his roots, and to the masters of the Big Band Sound,
in a magnificent way indeed. Highly recommended. |
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Roberto
Fonseca - Zamazu / Enja & Justin-Time Records / 2007 - Europe-Canada
www.robertofonseca.com
In
short, the recording is nothing if not diverse. It opens with
the plaintive voice of Mercedes Fonseca (Roberto's mother),
followed by the soulful "Tierra En Mano" (where Roberto
sounds remarkably like Omar Sosa). The most striking tracks
are "Congo Arabe" and "Ishmael." The first
expresses Roberto's love for Oriental (Turkish) culture and
his religion (Yoruba). The second is an ode to pianist Abdullah
Ibrahim... Read
our full review. |
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Chembo
Corniel - For the Rest of Your Life / Chemboro Records / 2007
- USA
www.chembocorniel.com
Latin
percussionist Chémbo Corniel is at the top of his game,
and this time around he pulls no punches. While most congueros
simply play congas, Chémbo plays the music. His latest
venture into the world of Afro-Cuban-Jazz is the culmination
of years of hard work, preparation and paying dues. While most
percussionists concentrate on playing their instrument, whether
it be the conga drums, timbales or what have you... Read
our full review. |
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Hector
Martignon - Refugee / ZOHO Music / 2007 - USA
www.zohomusic.com
- www.hectormartignon.com
Colombian-native,
pianist Hector Martignon is a well-rounded musician. An extraordinary
pianist, who also excels as a composer, arranger and producer.
This is Martignon's third release with his Foreign Affair band.
This time augmented with so many special guests that helped
him to make of "Refugee" a memorable recording. Kenny
Barron, Eddie Gomez, Dafnis Prieto, John Benitez, Willard Dyson,
Sammy Figueroa, Edgardo Miranda. The list goes on. |
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Grupo
Latin Vibe - Amanecer / GLV Music / 2007 - USA
www.grupolatinvibe.com
"Grupo
Latin Vibe has been in existence for about nine years. Co-Leaders
Anibal "Tito" Rivera and Tommy Matiolli formed the
band twelve years ago under the name, TNT. The two met at
Boys Harbour in El Barrio. Tommy is a jazz virtuoso who is
addicted to the vibes & percussion. Tito is a gifted vocalist,
percussionist, lyricist, composer and arranger with a "tipico"
style. They combined their talents and 'wham!' Magic!." Read
our full interview. |
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Mario
Adnet - Jobim Jazz / Adventure Music / 2007 - USA
www.adventure-music.com
Adventure Music is another terrific Record Label based in
New York City that has gained reputation for specializing
in serious, contemporary Brazilian Music. This tribute to
the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim by guitarist Mario Adnet
is no exception. It's a classy re-interpretation of the Master's
compositions. Recorded in Brazil and inspired by Jobim's 80th
birthday (January 25, 2007), this CD has all the elements
of a winner. Adnet captures in it the true spirit of the Bossa
Nova mouvement. |
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Arturo
Stable - Notes on Canvas / Origen Records / 2007 - USA
www.arturostable.com
"Back
in September 2004, our Co-Editor Tomas Peña interviewed
Arturo when he released his first CD, entitled "3rd Step."
Three years later, we find him releasing "Notes on Canvas,"
a superb project exploring the magical combination of visual
arts, paintings, and music. It's now my turn to talk to Arturo
about his "Jazz Portraits of my Favorite Paintings,"
as he puts it." Read
our full interview. |
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Felipe
Salles - South American Suite / Curare Records / 2007 - USA
www.sallesjazz.com
"I
came to America to learn how to play jazz and even stopped playing
Brazilian music for several years. My way back into Brazilian
music was slow. First I started playing with some Afro-Cuban
projects, then other Latin American cross-overs with jazz, like
Argentinean and Venezuelan music, until Brazilian music seemed
to have become a necessity in my quest to express myself again."
Read
our full interview. |
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Frank
Cano - A Beautiful Day / Frank Cano Records / 2007 - USA
www.frankcano.com
"Being
a member of Francisco Aguabella's Latin jazz band for the last
three years has helped me to grow musically. Also, working with
fantastic horn players like Benn Clatworthy (sax) and Andrew
Lipman (trombone) gave me an idea of how I wanted my music to
sound. Finally, trombone player Francisco Torres (of Poncho
Sanchez fame) and I have been discussing the possibility of
working on a project." Read
our full interview. |
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Gabriel
Alegria - Nuevo Mundo / Saponegro Records / 2007 - Peru-USA
www.gabrielalegria.com
A fresh and stimulating sound comes out of Peru. The fusion of Afro-Peruvian rhythms and Jazz is seamless, organic and full of excitement. Trumpet artist Gabriel Alegria opens doors to a New World with his sextet. "Nuevo Mundo" is an excellent recording produced by Bobby Shew, who is also a special guest on it. Other guests include Tierney Sutton, Russell Ferrante, Bill Watrous and Lisa Harriton. An act not to be missed in concert. Can't wait to hear more
from them. |
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The
John Santos Quintet - Papa Mambo / John Santos Records / 2007
- USA
www.johnsantos.com
Out
of the West Coast, this the first CD released by The John Santos
Quintet. After the demise of The Machete Ensemble, Santos is
joined in this new group by Orestes Vilató, John Calloway,
Saul Sierra and Marco Diaz. According to Santos, "Papa
Mambo" is "as much as anything else, a celebration
of the genius of Orestes Vilató," a keeper of the
tradition, and a very influential figure for several generations
of musicians and dancers. |
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Hendrik
Meurkens - New York Samba Jazz Quintet / ZOHO Music / 2007
- USA
www.zohomusic.com
- www.hendrikmeurkens.com
Zoho Music,
out of New York City, has rapidly become a recognized Record
Label in the world of Latin/Jazz music. They've been steadily
putting out great recordings, several of which have been grammy
nominated/winners. This CD by virtuoso harmonica/vibes player,
Hendrik Meurkens, is already at the top of our list of the
best recordings of 2007. Masterful playing by Mr. Meurkens
and his Quintet. His compositions are a celebration of joy
and liveliness.
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Alain
Perez: En El Aire / Ayva Records / 2007 - Spain / www.ayvamusica.com
En
El Aire is one of the most exhilarating recordings I have heard
this year. Moreover, it is a showcase for the multi-talented
Alain Perez. In his short but illustrious career, he has shared
the stage with Chucho Valdez, Irakere, Celia Cruz, the Lewis
Trio, Jerry Gonzalez, Isaac Delgado, Miguel “Anga”
Diaz and guitar wizard Paco de Lucia. Remember his name, you
are going to be hearing alot from the multi-talented "boy wonder."
Recommended tracks: Donna Lee, Agarrame Si Puedes (Catch Me
If You Can) and Camino Del Oso (Walk of the Bear). |
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Poncho
Sanchez: Raise Your Hand / Concord Picante Records / 2007 -
USA
www.ponchosanchez.com
He does it
again. This is not just another great CD by master conguero
Poncho Sanchez. One of his best releases to date. He just keeps
getting better and better. Travelling back to his roots, Poncho
mixes genres in a delightful way. Heavyweight collaborators
(some of Poncho's musical heroes included) help him imprint
this album with an authentic sound. Maceo Parker, Andy Montañez,
Jose "Perico" Hernandez, Eddie Floyd, Booker T. Jones,
Steve Cropper. |
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Estrellas
de Envidia - Homenaje a Fania / Envidia Records / 2007 - Spain
www.descarga.com
This
is a terrific hommage to the legendary Fania All Stars by a
new generation of Cuban artists from the Spanish label Envidia Records.
Produced by Luis A. Dominguez, this project successfully takes the music
from some of the most respected participants in the "salsa
craze" in New York during the seventies, and re-creates
the classic sound that marked such an important momentum in
the history of Latin music. |
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Paquito
D'Rivera Quintet? - Funk Tango / Sunnyside/Paquito Records /
2007 - USA
www.paquitodrivera.com
Being
the first release of Paquito Records -D'Rivera's own label-
places "Funk Tango" in a very special place. This
self-produced recording defies all genres and categories. The
music is just great and funky. Featuring Diego Urcola on trumpet
and trombone; Oscar Stagnaro on bass; Mark Walker on drums;
Pernell Saturnino on percussion and Alon Yavnai on piano.
Plus, Hector del Curto on bandoneon; Edward Simon and Fernando Otero on piano. |
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Spanish
Harlem Orchestra - United We Swing / Six Degrees Records / 2007
- USA
www.spanishharlemorchestra.net
Veterans
of the "Salsa Dura" sound created in New York, the
Spanish Harlem Orchestra, led by pianist/musical director Oscar
Hernández, reaffirms its reputation as a solid ensemble.
On their third release, they go back to the roots to bring us
some classic numbers. Original compositions and modern arrangements
infuse the music with a new spirit. These cats really swing,
transmiting an electrifying feeling that makes you move and dance.
Special Mention:
1. The Latin Giants of Jazz - Trip to Mamboland
2. David Virelles - Motion
3. Luis Muñoz - Of Soul and Shadow
4. Sebastian Schunke - Vida Pura
5.
Antonio Adolfo e Carol Saboya - Ao Vivo
6. Putumayo Presents Latin Jazz
7. Nils Fischer - Gracias Joe Cuba!
8. Reissue - Eddie Palmieri/Cal Tjader - Bamboleate (Fania/E Musica) |
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