Customer Reviews

Mosaic

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

 

 

What's that, you say? Highly refined, brilliantly executed Latin jazz. And there are few better than the CJP.

I really like the new core band: longtime leader Dave Samuels, vibes and marimba; Alain Mallet, piano and organ; Boris Koslov, a name new to me, acoustic bass; Dafnis Prieto, drums; and Robert Quintero, percussion. This group appears on four of the tracks. On two others, the band is augmented by violinist Christian Howes, a member of Dafnis Prieto's killer group featured on his latest release, Absolute Quintet. The remaining three selections feature original CJP members Paquito D'Rivera (alto sax) and Andy Narell (steel drums).

Dafnis Prieto brings a huge kick in the butt with his burning drum conception, and Quintero jacks the proceedings up a notch with some righteous percussion. Indeed, this slightly thread-worn outfit seems completely revitalized. Even the tracks featuring D'Rivera and Narell cook with unexpected juice, lacking, at least to these ears, in the original band configuration. Narell, especially seems very energized.

If you have even the slightest inclination to music of this type, you should drop everything and acquire this entirely wonderful disc. Absolutely not to be missed.

As a devoted fan of steel-drummer Andy Narell, and lover of steel-drum music,
I still cherish the first 2 albums by Caribbean Jazz Project, that featured
Andy Narell along with Dave Samuels and Paquito D'Rivera.
(those albums were: Caribbean Jazz Project - 1996; and Island Stories - 1997)
When Dave Samuels continued to release albums under the same name without
Andy Narell (or any steel drum player), it didn't seem right, and certainly
was something totally different than originally intended by the partnership.
However, I bought the later CJP albums anyway, as I enjoy Samuels' marimba and vibes playing
in the jazz and latin settings that defined the CJP.

This album, MOSAIC (2006), features the return of Andy Narell to CJP on 3 excellent tunes:
Portraits Of Cuba, Wazo Dayzeel, and Dusk.
Basically, it's another "half" album by the original Caribbean Jazz Project.
MOSAIC is an essential addition to Andy Narell's large body of work.

I first saw the Caribbean Jazz Project many years ago in a small club. Having heard a couple albums, I was eager to see them in person, but I wasn't expecting the explosion of energy and creativity they produce in a live setting.

Always fine musicians, I have nevertheless found myself far more drawn to their live albums. Mosaic is the first studio album that for me shimmers with energy within refined and polished compositions, compositions that seem more evolved than earlier albums.

Mosaic is a bravura performance and a delight to listen to! Don't miss it!

But a little light on the Latin part. I expected faster, more lively music.