Customer Reviews

Que Pasa

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Gato Barbieri, one of the most distinctive instrumentalists in jazz, is in top form on Que Pasa. Barbieri's tone and sense of melody is stunning--evoking a myriad of emotions with just one phrase. This is no more evident than on the opening track, "Straight into the Sunrise," which is dripping with sensual and moving lines that are unsurpassed in jazz today. Barbieri's rare ability to use his instrument to convey his emotions is amazing; it's as though he is baring his most intimate thoughts and feelings to the listener. Check out "Blue Gala" for some of his trademark smouldering sax melodies, and "Circulos", a tight and sexy romp which alternately swings and sways while Gato's saxophone creates a dynamic sense of movement. If you're looking for the epitome of smooth jazz from a true modern master, look no further than Que Pasa.

It had been so long since Gato had released an album, I thought he had disappeared from the music scene. From Tropico on, Gato seemed to have lost his bearings only occasionally showing glimpses of his storied past. Now here he is again after a ten year hiatus and he's back on track. Que Pasa opens with the wonderfully smooth Straight into the Sunrise and winds up with the moving Adentro. Though I like every cut on this CD, the best are Straight Into the Sunrise, Blue Gala, and a tremendous rendition of Stevie Wonder's Cause We've Ended As Lovers which is even more powerful than Jeff Beck's standout version. I recommend this to anyone who appreciates saxophone and especially to Barbieri apostates who had given up on him. Que Pasa is a winner!

A great outing from the aging Argentinean lion. After all these years, he's still got that gorgeously full, heartbreaking tenor sound that nobody else comes close to matching. I highly recommend this record for Gato beginners, but I would also steer them to the great Flying Dutchman recordings of the early 1970s. Check out "Under Fire," "Bolivia," or "Fenix" to really hear this cat blow. And my favorite, one of the greatest live jazz concerts ever caught on tape, "El Pampero." Pampero was recorded at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in 1971 and includes some marvelous interplay between Gato, pianist Lonnie Liston Smith on Fender Rhodes, Chuck Rainey on bass, Pretty Purdie on drums, Sonny Morgan on the congas, and Brazilian wizard Nana Vasoncelas on berimbau and other exotic percussion instruments. This one cooks like nothing you've ever heard. Saludos, Gato. Do not go gently into that good night/Rage, rage against the dying of the light . . .

For those astute jazz listener's who may have noticed that I have convienently 'borrowed' the title of one of Gato Barbieri's previous cd's to use as the title of this review ( and no you don't win any prizes! ) congratulations! Wracking my brain for a heading to Gato's wonderful " Que Pasa " album the term Caliente ( meaning Fire ) just seemed incredibly appropriate for an album that carries not only so much heat but true passion as well! All apologies aside let explain why this disc is so powerful.

Other than the song " Europa ", to be found on a previous cd entitled " Caliente " written by Carlos Santana, I was unaware of anything by this extrodinary tenor sax player. And shame on me for that! I had listened to two tracks from " Que Pasa ", played by my local 'smooth jazz' station, and while I thought they were interesting I didn't rush out to make any quick purchases. Again...shame on me! For some odd reason I finally came to my senses the other day and picked up a copy [...] and it's rarely left my cd player since. You can call this smooth jazz ( ouch! ) if you'd like but I like to think that Gato is actually quite a bit more than that. And please, no Boney James comparisons! Be forewarned though that Gato's playing is impressively strong and full bodied. In fact the disc is recorded so loud that I found myself rushing to my cd player to turn down the volume when it started to play ( I have extremely thin walls and testy neighbors! ).

Anyway, starting off the disc with " Straight To The Sunrise " is Gato at his very best. Again, playing while holding nothing back he simply breathes fire into this song and let's the listener know what to expect for the rest of this wonderful album. " Blue Gale " is a worthy follow-up tune that is just as melodic and forceful as anything else you're likely to hear. And with some truly remarkable percussionists surrounding him it only adds to the intensity of the set. I did want to mention " Dance With Dophins " an unfortunate title to a wonderfully stirring number that may be my favorite track on the disc. The album, as a whole, does capture an almost exotic feel with pulsating rhythms, some smooth background vocals and Gato's talent for pushing each song, with some truly inspired melodies, into a different stratosphere! Fortunately, each song is distinctive from the next and no doubt you'll be asking yourself where has he been all these years? As opposed to where have 'we' been all these years!? In ending while I'm aware there is an army of smooth jazz sax players out there i.e. Dave Koz, Walter Beasley, Boney James and Steve Cole to name but a few you may want to give this aging Argentinian a listen before those other 'kids'. It's always a nice experience ( to say nothing of educational ) to hear where these other artists learned their chops from. As for me I'm still listening to Gato ( which by the way means 'cat' in Spanish ) and thinking of asking my neighbors over to join me. Que Pasa!!

Gato Barbieri poured his spirit into these recordings. You can feel his longings and hope in the essence of this beautiful music. It touches your heart in a memorable way.

SEXY! SEXY! GET TO HEAR GATO UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL. NOT WRITING A BOOK ABOUT THIS, LOVE EUROPA, THOUGHT I WOULD VENTURE INTO LESS COMMERCIAL MUSIC. GLAD I DID. EVEN BETTER ON HEAD PHONES.

I unjustly overlooked this release when it came out on the market, already eight years ago. The truth is that the title sounds a bit silly to us in Spain. But now that I just got this cd, I am glad I have it and kick myself for letting it slip out of my radar screen so easily.

Basically, all that the other reviewers said is true, so I won't start paraphrasing them. However, I would like to point out the quality of sound and production of "que pasa ?". I find it is an extremely well crafted album, with rhythm, warmth (typical from Gato's sax), and that edge that takes it beyond the typical lift-crocodile-supermarket music. This is probably another reason why this did not get the maximum airplay it deserved on F.M. stations. It doesn't fit the light mayonnaise taste of today's smooth jazz...

With such a cd, it is hard to say there is a better track. They are all great, and yet different. Even the cover version of Stevie's song is marvelous (note that Gato had already performed a sublime cover of Marvin Gaye's "I want you" in the "Caliente" cd). Curiously, and there I do dissent with other reveiwers, the weakest track is probably the opener, though still a great cut. And Circulos" is the peak monent of the album for me. It goes soooooo high betweeen minutes 2 and 4....

This can also probably considered a "global" album because of references to different places and cultures (Guadeloupe, Granada, Indonesia), all that with Gato's distinctive touch. You see, Gato has that special sound, just like Santana, who also has gone "global" (though in another way) on his recent recordings.

Finally, this album is the fruit of an association. Philippe Saisse + Gato Barbieri, or vice versa. It is a very balanced album in that sense because they have equal intervention, Gato is just more known than Philippe (more a studio musician who also has intensely collaborated with Jarreau). Check out Says' skills and punch on track 2 for instance...

Bottom line, skip Richard Elliott, Everett Harp, Kenny (beurk) Gorelic, or Boney James. They opted for "smooth jazz" which, on the long run has been a disaster because it has become a dull-decaffeinated genre, much to my despair. You won't get an adulterated product here. Get it without doubt !

P. S. I just hope I have the same level of energy as he does when I'm an abuelo, although he looked completely over the edge in his weird explanations in the "Calle 54" DVD, another must have, by the way!!!

Barbieri really strikes it up. Romantic and Dynamic. I think many will agree this might be great bedroom music??????????

El Gato Barbieri is like a true sound's wizard, always surprising us with his admirable talent, untiring searcher of expressive sonorities and genuine style. Creativeness, and above all , a remarkable Latin taste, has captivated countless generations throughout his fruitful musical life.

This album seems to confirm it. The astonishing vitality, dynamic flair and inspired lyrics, make of this one a must - have. The woman I remember, Circulos (of notable Brazilian mood), Dancing with the dolphins, Cause we' ve ended as lovers, Straight into the sunrise and Mystical are by far the most relevant pieces of this fantastic album, that despite of the years, as the good wine, every day sounds better.

We have all of Gato Barbieri's CDs, and this one is #1 on my list. In general, when you listen to a whole CD, sometimes there comes a song that you want to skip over. That is not the case with this CD. All of the songs are GREAT! Out of all of the jazz CDs we own, this is definitely in the top 5 for me. Track #1,3,7 & 9 is some of the SMOOTHEST, SEXIEST JAZZ YOU'LL EVER LISTEN TO!!!