Venezuela-born percussionist/composer Marlon Simon is a veteran sideman with Jerry Gonzalez, Chucho Valdés, and Hilton Ruiz. Rumba a la Patato features bassists John Benitez and Fort Apache's Andy Gonzalez and pianists Ed Simon (Marlon's younger brother) and Luis Perdomo, highlighting the leader's skills as a composer of stateside jazz laced with Afro-Cuban rhythms. Simon's compositional style centers on singable melodies that overlay complex rhythmic signatures, which make for nice solo showcases. Alto saxophonist (and ex-member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers) Bobby Watson delivers his Birdlike soprano and alto sax lines on the moving midtempo piece, "Ericka," and the Thelonious Monk tribute, "Songo pa Monk." The title track, a riveting rumba with a 6/8 introduction, is written for the pioneering conguero Carlos "Patato" Valdes and is brightened by trumpeter (and Eddie Palmieri bandmate) Brian Lynch's clave-blooded solo. On "Sandra Malandra," Simon melds mainstream jazz with Cuban rhythm, and on "Something for Carol," the Trinidadian calypso and Dominican merengue are brought together under Simon's sexy groove flag. As this recording shows, Marlon Simon knows how put together Latin jazz for the head, hips, and heart. --Eugene Holley Jr.
From Jazziz
Drummer and composer Marlon Simon pays tribute here to fellow percussionist Carlos "Patato" Valdes, who arrived in New York in 1954 and quickly introduced jazz musicians like Herbie Mann, Kenny Dorham, and Dizzy Gillespie to the wonders of the Afro-Cuban rhythmic experience. But instead of an all-out drumming session, Simon delivers a set of nine meticulously crafted compositions, performed by an ensemble featuring a mix of Hispanic and non-Hispanic players that includes trumpeter Brian Lynch and alto saxophonist Bobby Watson.
Directing traffic from behind his drum set, Simon leads the band from introspective ballads - such as the highly lyrical "Belleza India," on which Watson blows haunting melodies while bells ring gently in the background - to the bouncy Afro-Cuban jazz of "Songo pa Monk" and a festive mix of merengue and calypso on "Something for Carol."
The presence of veteran bassist Andy Gonzalez and two of Simon's brothers explains the cohesive quality of the music. Trumpeter Michael Simon composed two of the tunes; his "Easy Mood" is just that, a relaxed cha-cha that serves as a vehicle for fluid solos by himself and tenor saxophonist Peter Brainin. Ed Simon, who has spent several years as pianist with trumpeter Terrence Blanchard, guests on three tracks.
If Valdes has the opportunity to hear this record, he'll be proud to know that the marriage between jazz and Latin music he started 46 years ago is still going strong.
--Alfredo Alvarado Jr., JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.
Rumba a la Patato,Marlon Simon and the Nagual Spirits,Cubop Records,Afro-Cuban Jazz,Jazz,Jazz Music,Latin Jazz,Pop
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