Mexican-born
vibraphonist and composer Victor Mendoza's sound can perhaps
be described as cool and breezy with a tinge of salt on a sunny
mid-summer's day. A renowned musician, educator and clinician,
Victor Mendoza is considered one of today's leading protagonist
of contemporary Latin Jazz performing with such notable musicians
as Paquito D'Rivera, Giovanni Hidalgo, Danilo Perez, Claudio
Roditi and Changuito. These days, Victor couples a busy performing
schedule along with teaching duties at the Berklee College of
Music in Boston, MA (USA), and as a representative for Yamaha
and Vic Firth conducting master classes at schools and universities
around the world.
Mendoza demonstrates resounding technical agility on his latest
CD release titled "Black Bean Blues." He is joined
by an able group of musicians that include: Jim Odgren on alto
& suprano saxes, Alain Mallet and Walter Flores on piano,
bassist Fernando Huergo, Antonio Sanchez on drums and timbales,
Ernesto Diaz and Renato Thoms on congas and percussion, guitarist
Mark White, Albert Leusink on trumpet and Bam Bam on campana.
The session starts with "Chapina Chapin" embracing
a sabroso hybrid songo Jazz with good solos and thumping bass,
brass lines and breaks. A fusion of tumbao licks and unison lines
with sax and vibraphone are heard on the title track "Black
Bean Blues." Track 3, "Lo Que No Te Dije" (Things
I Didn't Tell You) excicises a light cha cha rhythm enveloping
some varied harmonies. This time a cha cha/funk groove, track
4 "Tica Linda" enables saxophonist Odgren to shine,
and a monster timbales solo by Ernesto Diaz. Victor and the band
go dancing on the Jazz Latino tune titled "Café Quemado"
(Burned Coffee) featuring the piano work of Alain Mallet.
More explossive fusion Jazz is heard on "Cyrano's Wish"
featuring a charismatic Vibe solo by Mendoza and drum solo. "Susurros
Del Corazon" (Whispers from the Heart) is a slow bolero
reminiscent of the Cal Tjader's expressive stylesmooth and
silky. Mendoza mixes some polytonal Central/South American sounds
in a 6-8 time that feel like a Wapango rhythm on "Chacalonga."
Returning to his Jazz influences with a tinge of Latin, Victor
Mendosa ends the session with the classic Jerome Kern composition
"The Way You Look Tonight."
Most of the compositions are penned by Mendoza and the musicians
do a good job throughout. However, some parts seem a little redundant
suffering from simplistic motifs and the same tumbao rhythms.
But, Mendoza and crew are able improvisers adding emotion and
variety to each tune. If the saying holds true "si cosinas
como te vez, me como hasta la raspa" (if you cook like you
look, I'll eat the hole plate), then there's no doubt that Victor
Mendoza has conjured a delectable recipe in "Black Bean
Blues" that will surely open up your appetite to a pleasant
listening experience.
review by John Davis
JDavis@latnjazzclub.com
Contributing writer
LatinJazzClub Magazine
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