Caribbean Jazz Project - The Caribbean Jazz Project

Styles: Latin Jazz, World Fusion  
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:02
Size: 140,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:59)  1. One For Tom
(6:35)  2. Abracadabra
(2:46)  3. Carousel
(6:03)  4. Como Un Bolero
(6:05)  5. Paco & Dave
(6:34)  6. Valse Triste
(5:02)  7. Latin Quarter
(4:15)  8. Todo Aquel Ayer
(6:33)  9. Three Amigos
(5:59) 10. Afro
(4:05) 11. Café España

This was the debut release by the Caribbean Jazz Project, a colorful co-op project that combines together the very different but complementary styles of Paquito D'Rivera (doubling on alto and clarinet), Dave Samuels (on marimba and vibes) and the brilliant steel drummer Andy Narell. Backed by a four-piece rhythm section, the accessible group sticks mostly to catchy group originals that range from Latin jazz to Caribbean music. The likable results are melodic and not overly predictable. This CD gives listeners an excellent example of the group's sound.~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-caribbean-jazz-project-mw0000178466

The Caribbean Jazz Project

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Caribbean Jazz Project - Afro Bop Alliance

Styles: Latin Jazz, World Fusion 
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:46
Size: 142,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:55)  1. Rendezvous
(6:11)  2. Naima
(8:45)  3. Five For Elvin
(5:20)  4. Soul Sauce
(6:30)  5. Picture Frame
(8:35)  6. Stolen Moments
(4:55)  7. Birds Of A Feather
(7:42)  8. Afro Green
(7:52)  9. Bemsha Swing

Lionel Hampton was one of the first "real" jazz vibraphonists. In more recent years, Gary Burton has been among those who have kept the instrument an integral part of the jazz scene. However, another name is also synonymous with the instrument. That is Dave Samuels. A longtime member of Spyro Gyra who occasionally reunites with the group, performing on a few songs here and there for recordings, Samuels is a master of both the vibraphone and the marimba. He also, when desiring a certain effect, has used a mallet-triggered synthesizer. After a brief solo career that included such recordings as Living Colors (MCA, 1988) and Ten Degrees North (MCA, 1989), Samuels joined forces with pals Paquito D'Rivera on alto sax and clarinet and Andy Narell on steel pans, to form the Caribbean Jazz Project. D'Rivera and Narell are no longer with the group, but Samuels is still its leader. Afro Bop Alliance revisits nine songs previously recorded by CJP, done this time with the Maryland-based Afro Bop Alliance, a big band with a Latin sound. The set begins with a dynamic offering of "Rendezvous," a track Samuels wrote for the Africa-themed Ten Degrees North and later appeared on CJP's Grammy-nominated Here and Now Live in Concert (Concord, 2005). While the first two recordings are exceptional, this one is equally engaging. 

With a heavy dose of horns, Joe McCarthy and Roberto Quintero splitting percussion duties, and Tim Stanley's trumpet solo, "Rendezvous" is more exciting than ever. John Coltrane's "Naima," which also was on Here and Now, is moderately paced. Samuels' vibraphone solo is the highlight, but the CJP rhythm section of McCarthy, Quintero and Max Murray on bass, complements the entire package. Steve Williams contributes an elegant soprano saxophone solo, underscored by soft horns. "Five for Elvin," another Samuels original, gives the percussionists plenty of room to stretch out. First, they underscore Samuels' marimba solo, complemented by Murray and pianist J.J. Wright. Later in the song, McCarthy and Quintero are out front, accompanied only by piano and bass, setting up the song's closing. Samuels and the rhythm section set up Oliver Nelson's "Stolen Moments." Luis Hernandez contributes a moving tenor sax solo, which gives way to Samuels on the marimba, punctuated by an amplified horn section. The horns then back off, leaving it to Samuels, pianist Harry Appelman and the rhythm section; Murray's bass stands out and the horns come back in to help close the song. Other tracks presented here are Dizzy Gillespie's "Soul Sauce," Thelonius Monk's "Bemsha Swing" and Samuels' "Picture Frame," "Birds of a Feather" and "Afro Green." Throughout, the Afro Bop horn section is strong but doesn't overpower CJP. Samuels, as he has done throughout his career, shows his versatility. Whether carrying the melody, stretching out on a solo or complementing the other musicians, he demonstrates why he is regarded as one of the world's leaders in jazz vibes and marimba. Afro Bop Alliance is an hour's worth of engaging music.~ Woodrow Wilkins https://www.allaboutjazz.com/afro-bop-alliance-dave-samuels-heads-up-international-review-by-woodrow-wilkins.php

Personnel: Dave Samuels: vibes, marimba; Steve Williams: lead alto, soprano saxophone, solo (2); Andy Axelrad: alto saxophone; Luis Hernandez: tenor saxophone, solos; Vince Norman: tenor saxophone; Rob Holmes: baritone saxophone; Chris Walter: lead trumpet; Nick Cooper: trumpet; Greg Reese: trumpet; Tim Stanley: trumpet, solo; Dan Drew: lead trombone; Jim McFalls: trombone; Mark Morgan: bass trombone; Harry Appelman: piano; J.J. Wright: piano (3); Max Murray: bass; Joe McCarthy: drums, percussion (bells, timbale, clave, chekere, shakers); Robert Quintero: percussion (congas, bongos, maracas).

Afro Bop Alliance

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Caribbean Jazz Project - The Gathering

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:24
Size: 115.4 MB
Styles: Latin jazz, World Fusion
Year: 2002
Art: Front

[5:19] 1. Rendezvous
[7:25] 2. Stolen Moments
[4:52] 3. See You In A Minute
[5:53] 4. The Gathering
[7:36] 5. Bemsha Swing
[4:49] 6. Libertad
[5:34] 7. El Guarachero Intrigozo (The Scheming Party Animal)
[5:48] 8. The Path
[3:04] 9. Masacoteando (In The Grove)

Alto Saxophone – Paquito D'Rivera; Bass – Ruben Rodriguez; Congas – Richie Flores (tracks: 1 to 5, 7, 9), Roberto Quintero (tracks: 6); Drums, Timbales – Dafnis Prieto; Flute – Dave Valentin; Percussion – Roberto Quintero (tracks: 1, 4, 5, 7, 8); Piano – Dario Eskenazi; Vibraphone [Vibes], Marimba, Producer, Liner Notes – Dave Samuels. Recorded at Beartracks - Suffern, NY.

The Gathering is the Caribbean Jazz Project's third release; principals Dave Samuels and Dave Valentin are joined by Paquito D'Rivera, once a regular with the group, on the lively opener, "Rendezvous," as well as a Latin reworking of Monk's "Bemsha Swing." Oliver Nelson's classic "Stolen Moments" comes in for a moody 7/4 treatment. Pianist Dario Eskanazi, bassist Ruben Rodriguez, and percussionists Dafnis Prieto, Richie Flores, and Robert Quintero provide strong backing for the front-and-center solo exchanges of Samuels and Valentin. The band is consistently melodic and accessible, not just on romantic themes like "Libertad" and "The Path" but also on more adventurous fare like Prieto's "El Guarachero Intrigozo (The Scheming Party Animal)" and the big finish, "Masacoteando (In the Groove). ~David R. Adler

The Gathering

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Caribbean Jazz Project - Here And Now: Live In Concert (Disc 1) And (Disc 2)

Mallet man Dave Samuels' career has ranged from the experimental, ECM-ish vibe of his '70s Double Image group to an artistically questionable association with the commercially viable smooth jazz group Spyro Gyra. And while those who knew just how much Samuels was capable of were more than a little surprised to see him maintain a long-term relationship with such a lightweight group, he managed to remain credible, always being critically singled out, even as Spyro Gyra itself was often dismissed. But, while Samuels' years with Spyro Gyra might have confused his fans, as did a string of equally lightweight solo albums for MCA and GRP, he did succeed in attaining greater visibility than he would have, had he continued with his bolder work of the '70s and '80s. And so, when he formed the Caribbean Jazz Project in '01 with the debut release Paraiso, Samuels appeared to have, in embracing Afro-Cuban music, found the perfect middle ground: accessible enough to appeal to larger audiences, but adventurous enough, in its own way, to help re-establish some credibility with the cognoscenti. Fans of more oblique idioms may still find the Caribbean Jazz Project too lightweight, but the fact is that amongst the captivating rhythms and engaging melodies, there's more than meets the eye.

And while the three previous studio efforts have had charms to recommend, the new double live set, Here and Now - Live in Concert, may be the best of the bunch. Back from '02's The Gathering and '03's Birds of a Feather are pianist Dario Eskenazi and percussionist Roberto Quintero, who, along with Samuels, are beginning to forge a group identity that the more guest-laden studio releases lacked. Rounding out the sextet are percussionist Mark Walker, known for his work with the genre-busting Oregon, but proving to be a highly capable Latin drummer as well; bassist Oscar Stagnaro, who combines unerring groove with fleet-fingered virtuosity; and the outstanding Argentinean ex-pat trumpeter Diego Urcola. And while the playing is universally top notch, it's Urcola who stands out, no surprise to anyone who has heard his remarkable '03 release, Soundances, which blended newfound urban roots in New York City with his folkloric background. It is, in fact, the way that Samuels manages to blend his Afro-Cuban concerns with other styles that makes Caribbean Project so distinctive. While Samuels' own compositions range from the aptly titled 5/4 tribute "Five for Elvin to the more overt cha-cha of "Arthur's Dance, it's his clever arrangements of Oliver Nelson's "Stolen Moments, Coltrane's "Naima, and Monk's "Bemsha Swing that really show the height of his invention, making them fit seamlessly within the overall groove-centricity. And with the excitement of live performance making every track sparkle, Here and Now perfectly combines adventure with accessibility. It's hard not to like. It looks as though Samuels has finally found the perfect middle ground between reaching a wider audience and maintaining greater artistic integrity. ~ John Kelman https://www.allaboutjazz.com/here-and-now-live-in-concert-dave-samuels-concord-picante-review-by-john-kelman.php

Personnel: Dave Samuels (vibes, marimba), Diego Urcola (trumpet, flugelhorn), Dari Eskenazi (piano), Oscar Stagnaro (bass), Mark Walker (drums), Roberto Quintero (congas, percussion).

Album: Here And Now: Live In Concert (Disc 1)

Styles: Latin Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:51
Size: 145,9 MB
Art: Front

( 6:55)  1. Rendevouz
( 9:45)  2. Stolen Moments
(10:16)  3. Turnabout
( 8:03)  4. Arthur's Dance
( 8:29)  5. The Gathering
( 9:13)  6. Picture Frame
(10:07)  7. Bemsha Swing

Here And Now: Live In Concert (Disc 1)
Album: Here And Now: Live In Concert (Disc 2)

Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:47
Size: 161,7 MB

(11:18)  1. One Step Ahead
( 7:35)  2. Mariella's Dream
(10:49)  3. On The Road
( 6:26)  4. Five For Elvin
( 9:51)  5. Naima
( 9:52)  6. Night In Tunisia
(13:53)  7. Caravan (bonus track)

Here And Now: Live In Concert (Disc 2)

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Caribbean Jazz Project - Paraíso

Styles: Latin Jazz
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:09
Size: 163,3 MB
Art: Front

(9:11)  1. One Step Ahead
(7:10)  2. Naima
(7:03)  3. Maluco
(9:34)  4. Caravan
(7:24)  5. El Tacaño
(6:52)  6. Five For Elvin
(5:23)  7. Second Opinion
(6:10)  8. Jamboree
(6:23)  9. Cá-Ni-Mo!
(3:56) 10. Obaricoso / Ritmos, Colores, Y Sentidos

This is possibly the most intricate, intellectual, and compositionally advanced Latin jazz that's been made to date. Certainly the tri-leaders of the group - vibraphonist Dave Samuels, flautist Dave Valentin, and guitarist Steve Khan - are in the top echelon of performers on their respective instruments, and all have played in a unusually broad range of musical settings throughout their performing careers, and they bring all these resources to this release. The three principals contribute well-thought-out, technically advanced jazz solos - lovers of all flavors of jazz will find a lot to marvel at and digest here. They also call in a couple technical whizes for guest spots: trombonist Conrad Herwig on "Caravan" and "Naima" and Ray Vega on flugelhorn on "Naima." 

But there's another factor at work here behind the prodigious talent of the front line. The team of percussionists keep the proceedings solidly in the groove with equally intricate, constantly percolating congas and timbales. In fact, a drum set is used only occasionally. The players are so perfectly coordinated and interconnected, not just with each other, but with the requirements of the melodies or the soloists. There is no repetition, no "push Play and let it go" here at all. The rhythmic complexity is astonishing. And when they step forward for the occasional percussion break, it's breathtaking. The percussion on the finale, a medley of Mongo Santamaria's "Obaricoso and Richie Flores' "Ritmos, Colores, y Sentidos" is simply stunning. They're also recorded very well. If there is a fault to be found with this CD, it might be that it's almost too perfect. It's so intellectual, so polished, so studied and so intricate that it borders on losing the raw energy that so much Latin music has to offer. But overall, this CD is tremendously rewarding. It raises the bar on several levels: the compositions (most by Samuels or Khan) and arrangements, the depth of the solos, the state-of-the-art percussion. This is heavy stuff. It merits multiple listenings in order to focus on different instruments each time around. ~ Dave Hughes https://www.allaboutjazz.com/paraiso-dave-samuels-concord-music-group-review-by-dave-hughes.php

Personnel: Dave Samuels - vibes and marimba; Dave Valentin - flute; Steve Khan - guitar and guiro; Ruben Rodriguez- bass; Richie Flores - congas, shakere; Luisito Quintero - timbal kit, percussion; Dafnis Prieto - timbal kit, drums; Poncho Sanchez - congas; Conrad Herwig - trombone; Ray Vega - flugelhorn.

Paraíso

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Various - Cha Cha Party

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:59
Size: 132.7 MB
Styles: Afro-Cuban jazz, Latin rhythms
Year: 2001
Art: Front

[4:17] 1. Poncho Sanchez - Bodacious Q
[5:23] 2. Mongo Santamaria - Day Tripper
[5:48] 3. Tito Puente - Oye Como Va
[6:09] 4. Caribbean Jazz Project - Jamboree
[5:45] 5. Ray Barretto - Killer Joe
[3:42] 6. Poncho Sanchez - Watermelon Man
[6:14] 7. Cal Tjader - Soul Sauce (Guachi Guaro)
[5:38] 8. Ray Vega - Boperation
[4:25] 9. Ed Calle - Rum & Coke (Cuba Libre)
[5:06] 10. Pete Escovedo - 'ah' Bailar Cha-Cha-Cha
[5:28] 11. Poncho Sanchez, Ray Vega - Besame Mama

Cha Cha has the distinction of being one of the most dominant "pop" rhythms of the last 40 to 50 years and is characterized as having an upbeat, infectious rhythm, which creates a sense of playfulness and flirtation. The Cha Cha is said to be a combination of the Mambo and the American Swing.

Cha Cha is a Cuban innovation of the old Latin form (danson). Originally known as the Cha-Cha-Cha the Cha Cha became popular about 1954. Cha Cha is an off-shoot of the Latin dance 'Mambo'. In the slow Mambo tempo, there is a distinct sound in the music that people began dancing to, calling the step the "Triple" Mambo. Eventually it evolved into a separate dance, today known as the Cha Cha.

Cha Cha Party

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Caribbean Jazz Project - New Horizons

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:12
Size: 142.4 MB
Styles: Latin jazz, Crossover jazz
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[5:38] 1. Descarga Canelén
[6:57] 2. Ivory Coast
[7:23] 3. Rain Forest
[8:19] 4. Charanga Si, Si
[5:02] 5. A Night In Tunisia
[7:13] 6. Moon And Sand
[6:24] 7. Over The Horizon
[4:11] 8. Arthur's Dance (Danzón Para Arturo)
[6:13] 9. Safe And Sound (Sano Y Salvo)
[4:47] 10. Rompiendo El Hielo En 2000

The third CD for this band has a change in personnel, with Paquito D'Rivera and Andy Narell gone but Dave Valentin (flute) and Steve Khan (guitars) joining. It has changed the entire dynamic structure of the band, for the better. Valentin's otherworldly sound and Khan's acoustic and electric abilities open fresh vistas for Samuels' pan-Caribbean notions on vibes and marimba. They have worked together before; see Valentin's Sunshower (GRP) or Samuels' excellent Tjaderized (Verve) for further examples. The threesome are complemented by Eddie Palmieri band members John Benitez (bass) and Richie Flores (congas/bongos), with timbalist/percussionist Robert Vilera and background singer Caridad Canelon. The combination has great potential, fully realized on several of the ten selections. Samuels wrote four of these, the most impressive being "Ivory Coast," which features introductory jungle sounds, a moody, darkly hued melody, churning beats of six and four juxtaposed, and a true sense of sound sculpting. "Arthur's Dance" is a sensual, Cal Tjader-like danzon; a 6/8 beat on "Over the Horizon" leads to a neat descarga bridge to the coda; and "Rain Forest" is more concerned with imagery rather than substantive, compelling music. Valentin gets off on the Khan-penned jam "Descarga Canelon," while a 7/8 beat -- with the marimba strutting, guitar and rhythm following -- leads to the familiar strains of "A Night in Tunisia," a different, most intriguing treatment of this chestnut. There's the darker mambo/cha cha of Khan's "Safe and Sound," or the bright vocal and instrumental melody of Khan's "Charanga." The slowest number is the "I Didn't Know What Time It Was"-flavored version of the Alec Wilder standard "Moon and Sand," while the overdubbed vibes and marimba of Samuels work out with the percussionists only on the finale "Rompiendo El Hielo En 2000/Breaking the Ice in Y2K." For the most part, this is music that will make you happy, bringing much melodic warmth from the tropics, and gives you more evidence as to the advanced talents of the participants. Recommended. ~Michael G. Nastos

New Horizons

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The Caribbean Jazz Project - Island Stories

Styles: Latin Jazz
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:17
Size: 153,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:27)  1. Bluellespie
(6:24)  2. Sadie's Dance
(9:29)  3. Calabash
(4:56)  4. Tjaded Motion
(7:18)  5. Zigzag
(5:57)  6. Andalucia
(7:33)  7. Shadow Play
(5:52)  8. Libertango
(6:24)  9. The Lost Voice
(6:55) 10. Grass Roots

The second recording by this co-op group (which has three leaders in steel drummer Andy Narell, Dave Samuels on marimba and vibes and Paquito D'Rivera tripling on alto, clarinet and soprano) crosses a lot of boundaries. Designed as a musical tour through Latin America, the music ranges from a tribute to Cal Tjader and Astor Piazzolla's "Libertango" to "Andalucia" (better known as "The Breeze and I") and "Bluellespie" (which fuses together parts of several Dizzy Gillespie-associated songs). The blend between the vibes and steel drums is unique, the rhythm section (pianist Dario Eskenazi, bassist Oscar Stagnaro, drummer Mark Walker and percussionist Pernell Saturnino) is versatile and exciting, and D'Rivera's soprano playing in particular is impressive. Easily recommended to all jazz listeners. ~ Scott Yanow  

http://www.allmusic.com/album/caribbean-jazz-project-island-stories-mw0000617230

Personnel: Paquito d'Rivera (clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Dario Eskenazi (piano); Dave Samuels (vibraphone, marimba); Mark Walker (drums); Pernell Saturnino (congas, percussion); Andy Narell (steel pan).

Island Stories

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Caribbean Jazz Project - Birds Of A Feather

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:50
Size: 144,9 MB
Art: Front

(5:04)  1. Birds Of A Feather
(5:29)  2. On The Road
(8:29)  3. Turnabout
(6:06)  4. Against The Law
(6:04)  5. Tell Me A Bedtime Story
(7:38)  6. Valencia 1
(6:02)  7. Picture Frame
(5:59)  8. Blue
(5:51)  9. Weird Nightmare
(5:03) 10. Minor Mood

A brassier, busier and a wee bit more aggressively urban Caribbean Jazz Project is featured on Birds of a Feather (Concord Picante). Dave Samuels is now leading this new lineup with Ray Vega on trumpet, Dario Eskenazi on piano and special guests guitarist Romero Lubambo, trumpeter Randy Brecker, drummer Mark Walker and percussionist Cafe. Bassist Ruben Rodriguez, percussionist Robert Quintero and drummer Dafnis Prieto round out the gang. The Brazilian "Valencia 1," with flutelike melodic harmonization, Lubambo's rapid note firings and a jazzy and percussively correct trumpet solo, is just a sampling of what the tropical-inflected crew can do in that territory. They are just as meritorious in their other Carioca explorations on "Turnabout" and "Picture Frame." Headed by a custom-made danzon figure, "Weird Nightmare" romps into an oddly metered sizzle, while on "Blue" everyone shines through in an updated guaguanco that fades into a hypermodern percussive coda skin slapping passage. The writing must be commended through and through. It brings forth fresh vistas from familiar Latin outcroppings and the supergroup readily assimilates its superior level. This is a cooker of a release, with depth to boot, fortified by great melodicism and peerless changes. ~ Javier Quinones  http://jazztimes.com/articles/14306-birds-of-a-feather-caribbean-jazz-project

Personnel: Romero Lubambo (guitar); Ray Vega (trumpet, flugelhorn); Randy Brecker (trumpet); Dario Eskenazi (piano); Dave Samuels (vibraphone, marimba); Dafnis Prieto (drums, timbales); Mark Walker (drums); Robert Quintero (congas, percussion).

Birds Of A Feather

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Caribbean Jazz Project - Mosaic

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 58:30
Size: 133.9 MB
Styles: Latin jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[6:59] 1. Nardis
[4:59] 2. St. Ogredol
[7:51] 3. Portraits Of Cuba
[5:40] 4. Afro Green
[8:47] 5. Wazo Dayzeel
[4:42] 6. Slow Dance
[4:38] 7. Spinnaker
[6:53] 8. Mambo De Luna (Para Cachao)
[7:58] 9. Dusk

Mosaic is the first studio album since 2003 by the Carribean Jazz Project, led by vibes/marimba specialist Dave Samuels. Drawing on a variety of Afro-Cuban, Venezuelan, Peruvian, Jamaican and other North American rhythms, this release features three different bands. On four tracks, Samuels leads a quintet with keyboardist Alain Mallet, bassist Boris Kozlov, drummer Dafnis Prieto and percussionist Roberto Quintero. Two other tracks feature violinist Christian Howes, and the remaining three selections find Samuels reunited with former CJP co-founders reedman Paquito D'Rivera and steel pan player Andy Narell.

Best known for his lengthy tenure with Spyro Gyra, Samuels' resume also lists stints with Gerry Mulligan and Frank Zappa. His mallet work, a key element in Spyro Gyra's sound, added a "tropical" feel and made the group's music more accessible in many ways. Jazz critics singled him out for praise, suggesting that if he were liberated from Spyro Gyra's somewhat formulaic "smooth jazz" recipe, something more creative might be forthcoming. However, after leaving the group, his solo recordings tended to be disappointing commercial offerings that fell into the soothing and vacuous world of airplay jazz—easy-listening, predictable music with light funk rhythms that are upbeat but instantly forgettable.

Samuels has an original voice on vibes—not an easy thing to accomplish—and he leaves his stamp on any project with which he's involved. This certainly applies to the CJP, which is, for all practical purposes, the Dave Samuels Project. This album's subtitle ("featuring Dave Samuels") is an understatement: he not only led the session, he produced the recording. Always a prolific songwriter, he penned four of the tunes on Mosaic, and the overall sound evokes the best and worst of Spyro Gyra: the brilliant musicianship and the highly polished—over-refined to some ears—production. Samuels seems aware of a general perception of his music as often more pleasant than challenging. Discussing his decision to record a live album (Here and Now, 2005), he noted that ..." in the studio is where you can get this kind of veneer/urethane coating ... that sometimes can disguise the intent and intensity of the music." Some critics viewed the CJP as a slightly threadworn outfit in need of new blood, and another Samuels comment suggests he knew it, too. "I realized that as the personnel started to change... things were re-invigorated," he said in a 2005 interview. "There was a rebirth of sorts...."

With Mosaic, however, Samuels and the CJP are back in the studio, and the urethane coating is all too evident. Indeed, the album's glossy sheen can make it difficult, for purists at least, to appreciate its good points. Certainly, there is no faulting the musicianship. Mallet, in particular, contributes strong solos, and Prieto adds an infusion of energy throughout. The arrangements are strong, notably a sophisticated reinterpretation of Miles Davis' "Nardis." But for better or worse (depending on one's taste), all the rough edges are smoothed and buffed, and despite the band's name and its tropical ambience, listeners looking for some real heat will probably be a bit disappointed. ~Victor Verney

Dave Samuels: vibraphone, marimba; Alain Mallet: piano, organ (1, 2, 4, 6-8); Boris Kozlov: acoustic bass (1,2,4,6-8); Dafnis Prieto: drums (1, 2, 4, 6-8); Roberto Quintero: percussion (1, 2, 4, 6-8); Christian Howes: violin (6, 7); Andy Narell: steel pans (3, 5, 9); Paquito D'Rivera: alto sax, clarinet (3, 5, 9); Alon Yavnai: piano (3, 5, 9); Oscar Stagnaro: electric bass (3, 5, 9); Mark Walker: drums (3, 5, 9); Pernell Saturnino: percussion (3, 5, 9).

Mosaic

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