Customer Reviews

Hot House

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I own several Jazz and Latin Jazz albums and this one deserves to be in the top 5 in both categories; Arturo es simply FABULOSO, his style, performance, technique, everything is as great as it gets, he is a hyper-genius and shows it in every song; the highlights are Funky Cha Cha Cha, Rythm of our World (that tributes Latin and Brazilian Jazz concepts blended perfectly), No se tu (with a superb vocals by Patti Austin), Sandunga (perhaps the best cut in the album), and Mam-Bop. Do not let this gem pass you by, You will never regret adding this piece of art in your gallery.

Arturo was spot-on with this album, and also made it appeal to the commercial public as well, because he is such an exciting player. Fans of Latin jazz be it if they're a fan of the style or not will really love this album. Arturo plays great, and has some amazing guests featured here as well. Most notably, one of my favorite tenor saxophonists, a former Maynard Ferguson bandmember, Chip McNeill! This guy plays amazingly well and definitely deserved a spot on this gem. "Funky Cha Cha" is the perfect opener, just comes right in blasting. Here Michael Brecker guests on tenor saxophone and plays some good stuff, and Arturo plays an exciting solo full of his usual bebop-flavored flurries. "Rhythm Of Our World" has a brilliantly played slow introduction from Arturo, and then segways into a faster pace. This song really swings and has a lot of soul. It pays tribute to all styles of Latino music! "Hot House" is a famous composition by Tadd Dameron and Arturo and company really bring it to life in this masterful take with some wonderful solos. The band is very tight as well. Arturo plays his own lead trumpet amazingly. "No Se Tu" is a tasty vocal feature for Patti Austin with great playing from Arturo as well. Patti really put a lot into this song, and it shows. Very romantic and sweet. "Sandunga" is a firey piece that really gives the opportunity for the soloists to rip it. The song is dedicated to all the girls who can really dance. "Tito" is a tribute to Rican music king Tito Puente, and Tito himself is featured on this song. Fans of Tito will really love this. Arturo did a great thing by making this song. "Closely Dancing" is a slower, more romantic song which really comes to life. Arturo plays it very passionately. My favorite track on the set is "Mam-Bop"! Most will probably agree. The tune is just insane. From Arturo screeching Double High D's throughout and trading with himself, taking it up an octave then back down then back up. However, my favorite part is the end, where they quote a bunch of bebop tunes, including "Salt Peanuts"! I also noticed "Straight, No Chaser" and "Good Bait" (which is also a composition by Tadd Dameron, co-written by Count Basie). The others were familiar but I could not think of them off the top of my head. "New Images" is a brilliant ballad with Arturo really showing off his control in the upper register, ending his emotional solo on an E over Double C. This song is a bit like "Closely Dancing", they are actually similar. "Cuban American Medley" is a great, fun tune. They play American songs such as "Going Back Home To Indiana", "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" and "Little Lulu Theme" in a Latin setting. This medley is a lot of fun. The last piece, "Brassman's Holiday", is an entertaining feature for trumpet, and has a joyous, almost Christmas-like feel to it.

This is a great album. It is great to know that this kind of music is finally getting the recognition it deserves.

Arturo Outdoes himself with a most powerful virtuoso performance. He ranges from slow dance melodies to funky mam-bo Dizzy Tributes like Mam-Bop, one of my favorites. You really must get this album if you dig latin jazz.

I heard this album in the car of a trumpet-playing friend and the first track certainly hooked me in with about a 2-octave leap and several other things i had never heard from a trumpet before. I never believed that a trumpet had no limit on its upper range until I heard track #8 (Mam-bop, not to be confused with Hanson's awful song...that's another story) Not only is Arturo an amazing trumpeter, but the "guests" on this album - Tito Puente, Michael Brecker on sax, etc. add a ton to the overall effect. An outstanding album for any trumpet fan, Latin fan, or music aficionado in general...

This band performance of Arturo is brilliant. His play is astonishing and only wants you to do two things: dance and play like he does. All different styles on this album are played as an example of how in fact this latin music should be played; this brilliance is phenominal.

If you're a fan of Latin jazz, 'Hot House' is the real deal. It opens with a bang (literally) courtesy of the sizzling "Funky Cha-Cha," a sexy, stylish night-on-the-town chart with a delicious guest tenor solo by Michael Brecker. (Brecker also plays on the title track.) Ed Calle plays tenor on two tracks as well, the jamming "Sandunga" and "Closely Dancing," a breathtaking bolero with a clever twist--Rene Toledo's surprising and intoxicating electric guitar solo.

"Rhythm of Our World" is something truly special. Richard Eddy's powerful, evocative arrangement plays the same trumpet theme over multiple Latin styles, weaving it through rich orchestrations in varying rhythms and time signatures, with Sandoval taking a tasty solo during the samba movement. "Rhythm" is reminiscent of Sandoval's terrific "A Mis Abuelos" on his 'Danzon' CD, but is no carbon copy. It's an unforgettable piece of music.

There are more guest musicans on the CD, including the late Tito Puente (who shows up the final track and, of course, "Tito"), and the underrated Patti Austin on "No Se Tu."

This album is right on target. It's a great blend of jazz and Latin music. We're wearing out this CD!!!!!! If you only have one Arturo Sandoval album, make it this one.

Arturo Sandoval combines a flawless technical approach with a great feel for Latin Jazz, and this is the result. For fans of the screaming range trumpet, and especially Maynard Ferguson fans, Arturo may be a welcome relief. He plays in the upper range with as much clarity as he does in all others, unlike the often splatty maynard sound. The sax work on this CD is great too. Chip McNeil, Ed Calle, and even Mike Brecker take solo breaks in this awesome display of latin jazz combined with bebop.

Arturo is the man! He has amazed me yet again! This is one of the better latin jazz players i've ever heard. He is the best trumpet player i've ever heard, almost made me quit playing the instrument! This is a great cd. I highly recommend it! Good stuff!!!

As a trumpet player this guy is a sheer pleasure to listen to. The fast cuban-jazz rythms are uniquely explosive and every song on here is going to make you wish you could play like this guy can. Simply amazing, so expressive and diversely arranged you won't ever regret buying it. Powerful.