Tidbits on New Music – Sept 2010

Here are some great recordings that have been dominating my play lists: Chucho Valdes and the Cuban Jazz Messengers mesmerizing “Chucho’s Steps”, the no holds barred slammin’ salsa release by Luis “El Tzunami De La Salsa” Gonzalez “Tributo A Un Gigante”, the great new live recording “The Latin Side Of Herbie Hancock” by trombonist extraordinare Conrad Herwig with special guests Eddie Palmieri and Randy Brecker; “Providencia”, the beautiful new cd by Panama’s own Danilo Perez (Wayne Shorter’s current #1 choice on piano), the indestructible 73 year old salsa legend Bobby Cruz who demonstrates vocal chops that most singers would die for on his new release “Alma, Tierra y Raices” and the exquisite recording “Motion” by former Jane Bunnett collaborator Hilario Duran and his Trio. Plus I’m still enjoying the music that I brought home from Tempo Latino in late June from AYVA Music based in Spain: pianist Leo Blanco’s “Africa Latina” and trumpeter Guillermo Calliero’s tango-flamenco-jazz fusion “Barcelona Hora Cero”. Add to that great new releases by producer/musician Greg Landau’s soundtrack from the film “La Mision”, Carne Cruda’s “Oakland Tight” and an out of the blue latin-jazz release from ex Bay area resident Silvestre Martinez “Heritage”. All killer no filler!