(Bill O’Connell, piano; Dave Valentin, flutes; Richie Flores, congas/cajon/timbales)
Pianist and producer of this CD Bill O’Connell tells us that there is a difference between Latin jazz and jazz Latino. His trio is in the latter bag – without a big band, no claves and huge percussion section, no endless montunas. This trio is more for listening than dancing, with more of a bebop influence. It brought back to me the Cal Tjader smaller groups and a more intellectual approach to jazz with a Latin flavor. This is my sort of Latin jazz, even if it shouldn’t be called that.
Dave Valentin has been making a place for the flute in jazz for a long time. His Puerto Rican background makes him a natural choice for getting to the soul of every tune he plays here. It’s obvious he lives in the midst of all the Cuban and South American music whose influence has so enlivened the jazz world. I especially loved his work on Afro Blue, with just pianist O’Connell. And the deeper timbre of his alto flute is used to great affect on A Call for Sanity.
TrackList:
Triple Play, Flying By, Machu Picchu, A Call for Sanity, Just in Time, Second Son, Cravo e Canela, You’re Changed, Afro Blue, Dansette.
– John Henry
