A great live triple vinyl by Cal Tjader shines a well-deserved spotlight on Cal Tjader.
Cal Tjader – Catch The Groove: Live At The Penthouse 1963-1967 – Jazz Detective/Deep Digs Music Group/Elemental Music DDJD-011 Limited Edition 180-gram stereo triple vinyl, Record Store Day Black Friday 11-24-2023] 143:56 *****:
(Cal Tjader – vibraphone; Clare Fischer – piano; Fred Schreiber – bass; Johnny Rae – drums, timbales; Lonnie Hewitt – piano; Terry Hilliard – bass; Bill Fitch – congas, percussion; Armando Peraza – conga, bongos; Al Zulaica – piano; Monk Montgomery – double bass; Carl Burnett – drums, timbales; Stan Gilbert – bass)
Percussionist Cal Tjader has been described as the most successful “non-Latin” purveyor of Latin music. His main instrument was the vibraphone, but he played drums, congas and piano. He was a renowned sideman (George Shearing, Dave Brubeck, Tito Puente, Charles Mingus and Woody Herman), and began a solo career in 1954. His catalog with Verve and Fantasy was significant. He was instrumental in establishing the Monterey Jazz Festival as a formidable cultural event. Perhaps his legacy is tied to the 1964 album, Soul Sauce. Sadly, Tjader passed away at the age of 56.
Jazz Detective has unearthed some previously unreleased live performances of this artist. Cal Tjader: Catch The Groove – Live At The Penthouse 1963-1967 is being released on triple vinyl, consisting of 27 tracks recorded at the iconic Seattle jazz club. These quintet performances (with a varying lineup) has Tjader playing vibraphone. Side A is a powerful compilation of iconic jazz standards. His swinging gravitas is at the core of Billy Strayhorn’s “Take The A Train”. The band is percussive and in the pocket. His stylish play is compelling on Brubeck’s “Your Own Sweet Way” as a gentle swing translation. The solos are precise and fluent. Tjader is capable of slowing things down (“It Never Entered My Mind”) or embracing Brazilian motifs (“Mahna De Carnaval”) with ease.
In a more traditional arrangement, “Sunset Boulevard” is up tempo with percolating notation. His subtle translation of balladry (“Here’s That Rainy Day”) is intriguing. Tjader executes a rhythmic, syncopated version of Cole Porter’s “Love For Sale” that swings.. But he is especially compelling on percussive Latin-infused numbers like “Davito”, “Pantano” and “Leyte”. When the group switches to traditional jazz, they excel on “Love For Sale”. In a change of pace, “Reza” has a gentler lilting flow but with a Bossa nova resonance. Two mambo numbers (“Maramoor Mambo” and “Mambo Inn”) are festive with infectious grooves. Standards like “The Shadow Of Your Smile” and “Bags’ Groove” respectively display meditative and finger-snapping cool. Gershwin’s romantic “I Can’t Get Started” is delivered with thoughtful poignancy. Returning to Latin arrangements, “Soul Burst” and “Cuban Fantasy” bristle with tempo and enthusiasm. There are groove celebrations like “O Morro Nāo Tea Vez” and “Fuji” that have a considerable jazz pedigree. There are surprises, too. Their version of “Lush Life” is ethereal with a bowed double bass and moody inflection. Tjader even re-purposes a pop song (“Along Comes Mary”) to his unique Latin aesthetics.
This is another great release from Jazz Detective. The restored sound by Sheldon Zaharko (Zed Productions) is pristine with a balanced overall mix, and the pressing (Bernie Grundman) is superior. Tjader’s vibraphone glows with reverberation and echo. The triple gatefold packaging is sturdy and the discs are in protective sleeves. There is a 12×12 booklet with photos and essays that contribute to the high quality of this release. It is also available as a 2-CD set and download.
—Robbie Gerson
Cal Tjader – Catch the Groove
TrackList:
Side A: Take The “A” Train; In Your Own Sweet Way; It Never Entered my Mind; Morning Of The Carnival (Mania De Carnaval; Insight
Side B: Sunset Boulevard; Here’s That Rainy Day; Davito; Pantano; Leyte; Half And Half
Side C: On Green Dolphin Street; Love For Sale; Reza; Maramoor Mambo
Side D: The Shadow Of Your Smile; Bags’ Groove; Morning; Mambo Inn
Side E: On Green Dolphin Street; I Can’t Get Started; Soul Burst; Cuban Fantasy
Side F: O Morro Náo Tem Vez; Fuji; Lush Life; Along Comes Mary.
Available through Record Store Day
