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Ray Obiedo: Latin Jazz Project Vol. 2

By Pierre Giroux
September 24, 2021
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There is a train of thought which proposes that the beginnings of the modern Latin jazz movement originated with the co-mingling of mambo and bebop. Although there is no empirical evidence to support this proposition, the uptake of the Latin style by boppers such as

Dizzy Gillespie

trumpet
1917 - 1993

" data-original-title="" title="">Dizzy Gillespie,

Charlie Parker

saxophone, alto
1920 - 1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Parker and

Herbie Mann

flute
1930 - 2003

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Mann gives some credence to the notion. The music presented by guitarist

Ray Obiedo

guitar
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Ray Obiedo in Latin Jazz Project Vol. 2, while grounded in the Latin jazz construct, is delivered in a more contemporary framework.

The musicians romp through seven numbers written by Obiedo and one by jazz master

Gerald Wilson

composer / conductor
1918 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Gerald Wilson. The session starts with a slinky cha cha, "Still Life," that features a guitar solo by Obiedo in an exploratory mode. Pianist

Peter Horvath

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Horvath is also given some solo space wherein he exhibits a smartly rugged rhythmic style. Moving along the rhythmic chain, "Chris Cross" is a swirling up-tempo mambo filled with expressive harmonic colouration.

David K. Mathews

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">David K. Mathews on piano shows he is a precise and lyrical pianist, but the pulsing backbone of the number is provided by

Sheila E.

percussion
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Sheila E. on congas.

Tenor saxophonist

Bob Mintzer

saxophone
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Mintzer is featured on two tracks each with a different rhythm style. The first is a cha cha with the unlikely title "Beatnik" and the other is a mambo, "Uno Dos." On the former, the group is in a sextet formation and consequently Mintzer is able to stretch his supple tenor sound showing respect for the Latin tradition. On the latter number, the group has shifted to a bulked-up tentet with a Cuban flair as steel pans from

Paul Hawkins

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Hawkins add harmonic interest. Although Mintzer's solo is brief, he shows that he is a tenor saxophonist with smart taste.

The Gerald Wilson composition "Viva Tirado," was originally recorded by the Gerald Wilson Orchestra on the 1962 Pacific Jazz album Moment Of Truth. With its slippery Latin vibe, the chart provides a frame for Obiedo, along with pianist Mathews, flautist

Melecio Magdaluyo

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Melecio Magdaluyo and trumpeter

Mike Olmos

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Olmos to deliver economical yet assertive solos. The final track is "Big World," with an interesting 6/8 time signature. With the band humming along pumping out the Latin beat with earthy textures, both Obiedo and Olmos offer clear precise interjections. On the final out chorus Sheila E. takes a sizzling conga solo. All in all an enthusiastic and rhythmically entrancing soundscape.

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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

Keys Jazz Bistro
San Francisco, CA

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