Who likes LATIN JAZZ?


NOT ME, at least not for a long time now (other than JOBIM- i am referring more to cuban, afro-cuban, etc. material) but rather suddenly (within the last month or so) i started to enjoy the upbeat nature of alot of the tunes as well as the sophisticated rhythms and the exceptionally talented players. plus it so happens that a bass player named CACHAO just passed away (last week), and there were numerous musical tributes on the radio (miami). the more tracks they played, the more i appreciated the musicianship of this extremely talented player, allegedly the composer of 3000 songs. in addition, Cal Cjader, Tito Puente, Paquito D'Rivera, even Mongo Santamaria, and many others got my anglo foot tapping. i don't dance particularly well, and am not going to take mambo lessions; but the music is interesting enough even when seated. the only thing that sometimes turns me off is if the percussion, particularly too many bongos doing a "how fast and loud can you play" segment, dominates a particular song. but it doesn't happen all that often (thank goodness!), and i can go back to listening to alot of other instruments interpreting the music such as fiddles, marimbas, bari saxes, etc. SO, who shares my new-found interests in this medium, and does anybody here have any recommendations if i wanted to put together a collection of cd's representing "the best of the best"? for starters, i would have to say
CACHAO'S master sessions #1 and #2 would definitely be on my list, along with Cjader... can anyone name some cd titles for me? thanks!
french_fries

Showing 2 responses by newbee

If you like some 'vintage' Latin jazz get Stan Getz's "The Girl from Ipanema - The Bossa Nova Years" a 4CD set put out by Verve. this will transport you back a few years to the time when this music was extremely popular.
French fries, FWIW I find very little wrong with you stating your preferences in Latin jazz, any jazz, pop or classical! We all have them. I'm not entranced by long showy congo drums solo's either (but I've got some African drumming that just lights my fire). Nor am, I entranced by either Miles Davis, or for the most part trumpet as a principle jazz instrument. I prefex sax or piano, so what! Its only important to folks who think they have a conner on intelligence, information, or 'good' tastes. 'Latin Jazz' covers a lot of ground as a quick read of the term in Wikipedia will reveal to any curious enuf to pursue it.

Chazro, your very first post set the tone - now you have taken the second bite. You should (also) consider toning down the arrogance.

This forum should be a place to come and discuss music in a constructive way. Do you disagree? IMHO :-(

BTW, speaking of Latin jazz pianists, this one is Cuban, for someone up to some really laid back Mexican romantic music by a jazz group should hear Charlie Haden's Land of the Sun with Gonzalo Rubalcaba on Verve. Late nite stuff! If it wasn't so goood it would put you to sleep.