ARTIST: Bobby Matos Afro Latin Ensemble
TITLE: Beautiful As The Moon
LABEL: LifeForceJazz Records
GENRE: Jazz
BITRATE: 243kbps avg
PLAYTIME: 1h 03min total
RELEASE DATE: 2011-00-00
RIP DATE: 2011-05-24
Track List:
1. Maramoor Mambo 4:44
2. Beautiful As The Moon 6:15
3. Just Another Guajira 5:04
4. Fiddlunky 5:35
5. Monk's Mood 10:00
6. Pop Moish 5:32
7. Early Morning Song 6:19
8. Mi Santiaguito 6:24
9. Maiden Voyage 9:10
10.Buena Gente 4:38
Beautiful As The Moon is a very personal statement from the band--all of the
music comes from the band members or is inspired by their families and their
influences. The title tune comes from a song Bobby╞s grandfather sang to his
young grandson. Originally performed in the once thriving Yiddish theater, the
song was one of the best known anthems of New World Yiddish culture. It blends
seamlessly with the Mapaye rhythm from Puerto Rico, and the Afro Latin Jazz
treatment of Bobby╞s arrangement.
Bobby dedicates an original composition to his grandfather called Pop Moish. The
quirky nature of the tune with its changes of rhythm mirrors ⌠Pop╞s÷
personality. Violinist/trombonist,Danny Weinstein contributes the original
Fiddlunky to reflect the violin╞s flirtation with funk rhythms. He also gives us
an arrangement of a tune by his well known uncle, Mark Weinstein, Just Another
Guajira.
Reedman, Pablo Calogero, contributes Mi Santiaguito, a moody, slow, polyrhythmic
tune dedicated to his son Santiago. Former band mate Frank Fontaine wrote Buena
Gente in collaboration with Wilson ⌠Chembo÷ Corniel, an extended band family
member. Bobby also gives us Early Morning Song, a swinging Mambo Jazz piece,
with a melody that came to him in a dream. Rounding off the CD, the band
includes songs written by some of their important influences, three titans of
modern music--Thelonius Monk, Armando Peraza, and Herbie Hancock.
With all but one song recorded at the Saville Theater, San Diego City College
for a live concert on KSDS Jazz88 radio in San Diego, this is an excellent
opportunity to experience some great Latin Jazz live without any edits or tricks
so common on many studio produced sessions where the music is recorded overdub
by overdub. Not here, this is the real deal--seasoned Jazz and Latin Jazz
musicians running risks to create great art, passionate rhythms and beautiful
melodies resulting in music that is as beautiful as the moon.