You know an album is not only creative, but brilliantly so when your first thought is “Why hadn’t anyone come up with this idea before?” Well, pianist Alex Conde did; he took the songbook of Thelonious Monk, and gave it a latin flavor, giving the bop master a whole new dimension to be appreciated. He teams up with Jeff Chambers/b, Jon Arkin/dr and John Santos/perc as well as foot stomps and hand claps provided by Amparo Conde and Carmen Carrasco.
First, there are also a couple of solo pieces. But even on “’Round Midnight” and “Pannonica” the lilt is definitely leaning towards the latin quarter, with sensuous romanticism on the former and coy congeniality on the latter. Other times, you get some hot piano and percussion on the dance filled “Played Twice” and the timbales create a green salsa on “Thelonious” that causes double dipping. The stomping “Think Of One” will give your legs a workout, and the team sashays through “Ugly Beauty” like a scorned lover returning to the nightclub for revenge. “Monk’s Dream” is luring and joyful while tender lights shine through the late night plaza on “Ruby My Dear.” Conde’s touch is thrilling all throughout, making these tunes of 60+ years sound like today’s most refreshing material. Irresistable on many fronts. Ole’!
Zoho Music