Ximo Tebar: Eclipse (2006)

Spanish guitarist Ximo Tebar is clearly so enthralled with all forms of American jazz, he attacks it--excuse the mixed ethnic metaphor--like a hungry man at a smorgasbord. Though he tilts mainly toward bop and postbop in choosing his source material--there are pieces by Joe Henderson and Wayne Shorter and an original tribute to Pat Martino--he's a dyed-in-the-wool fusion player who incorporates flamenco and Brazilian forms, adding electronics and scat vocals. There are times when his affection for pretty, synthesizer-enhanced melodies smacks of smooth jazz, but with vibraphonist Dave Samuels cutting some hard-swinging grooves and organist Rob Bargad pumping up the atmosphere, there's too much energy in the musicianship for it to linger too long in any soft spots. Tebar's guitar can take on an unusual toy-like tone, which makes his demonstrative dissection of Thelonious Monk's "Evidence" all the more interesting. --Lloyd Sachs

Personnel:
Ximo Tebar (guitar, synthesizer);
Ximo Tebar; Rob Bargad (piano, electric piano, organ);
Dario Boente (synthesizer);
Anthony Jackson (bass guitar);
Dave Samuels (vibraphone, marimba);
Donald Edwards (drums)
Tracklist:
01 Inner Urge
02 Martino
03 Mensaje
04 My Evidence (about monk and trane)
05 ESP
06 Ralladura
07 Eclipse
08 Pinocchio
09 One step ahead
10 Pure de patata
11 Tricotism
Eclipse
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Caribbean Jazz Project: The Gathering (2002) mp3 @ 320K

The Gathering is the Caribbean Jazz Project's third release; principals Dave Samuels and Dave Valentin are joined by Paquito D'Rivera, once a regular with the group, on the lively opener, "Rendezvous," as well as a Latin reworking of Monk's "Bemsha Swing." Oliver Nelson's classic "Stolen Moments" comes in for a moody 7/4 treatment. Pianist Dario Eskanazi, bassist Ruben Rodriguez, and percussionists Dafnis Prieto, Richie Flores, and Robert Quintero provide strong backing for the front-and-center solo exchanges of Samuels and Valentin. The band is consistently melodic and accessible, not just on romantic themes like "Libertad" and "The Path" but also on more adventurous fare like Prieto's "El Guarachero Intrigozo (The Scheming Party Animal)" and the big finish, "Masacoteando (In the Groove)." (98MB)

Gerry Mulligan Quartet: Dragonfly (1995) mp3 @ 320K

On what was probably Gerry Mulligan's last studio album (recorded less than a year before his death), the great baritonist is heard still in prime form. He contributed all ten compositions and the emphasis is on lyricism and slower tempoes; only three songs are taken above a medium pace. There are fine cameos by Grover Washington Jr. on tenor and soprano (during the first two numbers), cornetist Warren Vache and trumpeter Ryan Kisor. In addition, guitarist John Scofield and vibraphonist Dave Samuels (who both played with Jeru in the 1970's) are on many of the tracks and pianist Dave Grusin is on some although there is no identification as to which songs. A five-piece brass section was overdubbed on a later occasion. But even with the guests, the focus is generally on Gerry Mulligan and his longtime quartet. The music is thoughtful and tasteful although it is doubtful if any of the tunes will ever catch on as standards. This is a tasteful if not quite essential final effort by Mulligan, who seems to have ended his very important career quite peacefully.