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Ray Obiedo: Latin Jazz Project Vol. 2

By Richard J Salvucci
September 30, 2021
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Sometimes it is difficult to banish the words of Ecclesiastes from your mind when listening to a recording: "There is no new thing under the Sun." While that may be true of music in particular—one builds on the past, just as in other fields—it is no good reason for not listening or for simple indifference.

Gerald Wilson

composer / conductor
1918 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Gerald Wilson's "Viva Tirado" has been around since the 1970s, and Wilson himself has been quoted as being once surprised by hearing the

El Chicano

bass, electric

" data-original-title="" title="">El Chicano do it. Well, Wilson's complaint might have been understandable, if it weren't for the fact that "Viva Tirado" is, with some modification,

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane's "Impressions." That kind of modal construction was in the air when Wilson wrote Tirado. It was more of a question of creatively assimilating the influence than of outright imitation.

You can say the same about Ray Obiedo's very agreeable outing, which features a number of originals, to be sure, and a (no other way to describe it) star- studded array of musical talent from the East Bay, which has brought so much to Latin jazz. Sheila E is here, and to very good effect, and for that matter, so is her brother,

Peter Michael Escovedo

bongos

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Michael Escovedo.

David Garibaldi

drums
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">David Garibaldi of Tower of Power fame is here too. So, if you are thinking there is simply too much firepower here for this to be anything other than a very good recording, you would not be wrong. Add

Mike Olmos

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Olmos on trumpet and

Bob Mintzer

saxophone
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Mintzer on saxophone and you have a full-blooded Pachanga going. And in South Texas, a pachanga is a party, not just a musical genre.

What is distinctive, though, is what the absence of "volcanic drumming and shrieking trumpets." Now mind your manners. Not everything on the Scoville Scale for chili is going to leave you running for help: there are degrees of caliente, right? By the Scoville Scale, this fare is mildly spicy. It will get your attention for sure, but you will not require medical assistance after partaking. With touches of

Wes Montgomery

guitar
1923 - 1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Wes Montgomery, it is the furthest thing from raucous. Add a michelada, and you have a perfect evening.

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Track Listing

Still Life; Criss Cross;Beatnik; Santa Lucia; Belafonte; Uno Dos; Viva Tirado; Big World.

Personnel

Ray Obiedo

guitar

Bob Mintzer

saxophone

Sheila E.

percussion

David Garibaldi

drums

Mike Olmos

trumpet

Peter Horvath

piano

David K. Matthews

piano

Norbert Stachel

saxophone

Rita Thies

flute

Melecio Magdaluyo

woodwinds

Joe Cohen

saxophone

Erik Jekabson

trumpet

Mike Rinta

trombone

Jeff Cressman

trombone

Doug Rowan

saxophone, tenor

Bob Crawford - Piano

keyboards

Marc Van Wageningen

bass, electric

Lilan Kane

vocals

Sandy Cressman

vocals

Phil Hawkins

drums

Nobert Stachel

flute

Peter Michael Escovedo

bongos

David K. Mathews

piano

Karl Perazzo

percussion

Additional Instrumentation

David Belove, bass; Dewayne Pate, bass; Peter Michael Escobedo, percussion; Michael Spiro, percussion; Jon Bendich, congas; Karl Perazzo; timbales; Colin Douglas, wood block; Billy Johnson, drums; Paul van Wageningen, drums; Jenny Meltzer, vocals.

Album information

Title: Latin Jazz Project Vol. 2 | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Rhythmus Records

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Ray Obiedo Concerts

Sep 12 Fri

Ray Obiedo Group Ft. Lilan Kane- Two Shows 7 & 9

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San Francisco, CA

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