TWO SIDES OF THE LATIN QUARTER…Edsel Gomez: Road to Udaipur, Nils Fischer & Timbazo: Rumberos A Monton

How do you like your Latin music? With just a hint of flavor or an entire platter? Here are a pair of servings.

Pianist Edsel Gomez mixes and matches jazz trios with a rotating team of horns, strings and rhythm on this wide ranging yet satisfying session. Fragrant horns are fluffy and thoughtful on “Tertulia Samba” and the soft yet dynamic “Ninibilo Majulolo And The Bridge” while some bopping lines have the reeds humming on the upbeat “On Second Thoughts.” Bass and drums do some rich dancing with Gomez on “ Four Seasons and a Five” as  the melodic yet elliptical “Search and Build” has the kinetic team percolate under Cassio Fereira’s alto sax. Gomez himself skates between some velvety reeds on “The Chant” and is gentle and reflective on “Homesick Nostalgia.” Traditional on both the latin and jazz fronts.

Meanwhile percussionist Nils Fischer leads a smoking band filled with percussion, drums, horns and vocals on this exuberant mix of picante salsa. Punctuated horns frame volcanic percussion and machismo vocals on peppy tunes such as “Rumberos A Monton” while the frenetic rhythm opens up and builds to a wild cataclysm on the wondrous “Palo Pa Changuito” Two, count ‘em , two takes of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin’ On” make for wonderful soulful salsa. The first in Spanish and the second in English, but both filled with rich flavors, whle piano and rhythm create a quake on the while “Algo Asi.” Lusty and impassioned female voices are on the fun and defiant “Flores Para Tu Altar” while male choruses make yo feel like it’s Cruise Night on “”Timbazo Leego” and “Embola.”  Lots of sweat is built up on this one!

Zoho Music

www.zohomusic.com

Timbazo Productions

www.nilsfischer.com

Leave a Reply