Rick Davies - Siempre Salsa
Seven Days - Burlington, VT - Casey Rea
(Emlyn Music, CD)
Plattsburgh trombonist Rick D...
(Emlyn Music, CD)
Plattsburgh trombonist Rick Davies knows from salsa. I, on the other hand, do not. Is that a hindrance to my enjoyment of his latest disc, Siempre Salsa? Hardly.
Davies is a music professor at SUNY Plattsburgh. He previously lived in the Big Apple, where he worked with a plethora of Latin jazz heavyweights, including the late Tito Puente. Since relocating, Davies has led Jazzismo, whose members comprise most of the players on this CD.
Amazingly, all of the cuts on Siempre Salsa are Davies originals. Judging from the quality of each composition, they might as well be standards.
Opener "Cena Para Seis" features sinewy horn lines bolstered by percussionist Steve Ferraris' exotic rhythms. Special guest Dave Grippo takes a spicy alto sax solo before Davies takes over for a blow of his own. The spotlight subsequently shifts to pianist Tom Cleary, who offers a typically elegant keyboard run.
"Rosa Primavera" finds salsa hero Wayne Gorbea on the ivories. Vocalist Frank Otero sings a bunch of stuff I can't understand, but it sounds fantastic. Gorbea's piano solo is gorgeously minimal, Luis Cruz's bongo work riveting.
On "Insomnia," the sax section is expanded to include Brian McNamara, Aaron Garovoy, Alex Stewart and Rick Tutunjian. Their formation horn flights give the tune some serious punch. Trumpeter Tomer Levy delivers a tasty solo, as the band swells and recedes behind him.
"Rumba Nortena"'s melody is the musical equivalent of a tongue twister. Davies' daring trombone leaps made me question my assumptions about the instrument. Stewart's no slouch, either, with sultry sax tones and impeccable phrasing.
Levy's trumpet hits the stratosphere on "Santos," a song that's the very definition of picante. Here, Davies is joined by a second trombonist, Rafi Malkiel. The extra brass makes for even more spice.
"Calle Loca" flickers with the intensity of a blue flame. Grippo again pops by for a twisting sax solo that had me wondering when he finds time to breathe.
The album closes with "Caliente Time," a track built on staggered piano vamps and congas. Drummer Jeff Salisbury serves up smart cymbal work, as Stewart's sax conjures images of open-air markets and flickering neon.
Davies' passion for Latin jazz is absolutely contagious. Catch the bug on Thursday, July 27, when he appears at the FlynnSpace with Jazzismo and Ray Vega.
CASEY REA - Seven Days
"Siempre Salsa" - Rick Davies
Review by DJ EL CAOBO for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
I first heard about Siempre Salsa by Rick Davies when fellow contributor, Pietro Carbognani from Italy, posted some information about it in the weekly electronic newsletter, Que Corra La Voz, produced by Los Colaboradores Salseros. The information that Pietro posted was enough to peak my interest. Once I obtained the CD, I discovered that it is indeed an excellent recording!
The CD also contains some excellent Latin jazz tracks, performed by Jazzismo; the Burlington, Vermont jazz sextet. Although more properly classified as Latin jazz, many salsa dancers will find them dance-worthy, especially the track Insomnio; which I particularly like. Members of Jazzismo include Rick Davies (trombone), Alex Stewart (saxophone), Tom Cleary (piano), John Rivers (bass), Jeff Salisbury (drums) and Steve Farraris (congas).
However, since I am an avid salsa enthusiast, the salsa tracks on the CD are most appealing to me: Rosa primavera and Habana nocturna. Both tracks are of just the right tempo for the dance floor; which in my opinion is the ultimate test of salsa music, and both these tracks past the "dance floor" test with flying colors. They are both sure winners for both the club DJ and the casual listener. Assisting Rick Davies on these two tracks is the hot Bronx-based salsa group, Salsa Picante, for which Rick Davies had previously been the musical director for several years.
Rosa primavera, penned by Rick Davies and his writing partner Dr. Fernando Iturburu, begins with an introductory piano line, strummed by Wayne Gorbea; the leader of Salsa Picante, that is reminiscent of Eddie Palmieri's critically acclaimed song Vámonos pa'l monte. In fact, when I first listened to the song, I thought that I was going to hear yet another of many covers of Palmieri's song. However, within just 10 seconds, just as sonero Frank Otero's somewhat nasal, but extremely appealing voice begins, I realized that the song and its arrangements were very different from the Palmieri song.
Much of the success of Rosa primavera hinges on two excellent solos: a piano solo by Wayne Gorbea and a trombone solo by Rick Davies; both accompanied by the masterfully executed percussions of Juan Rodríguez (congas), Luis Cruz (bongó) and Ruben Borgas (timbales). During these parts of the song, I cannot resist the urge to dance. In fact, while writing this review, I have found myself listening to Rosa primavera again and again, and each time, those solos have forced me to stop writing and to listening contently; rolling and bobbing my head up and down, and shimmying my shoulders!
Other Salsa Picante musicians heard on both the salsa tracks are Richie San Quintín (bass), Rafi Malkiel (trombone), Raúl Navarrette (trombone), and Tony Barrerro (trumpet).
In summary, this CD, Siempre Salsa by Rick Davies is a real winner and welcome addition to my collection of great Latin music. If you are a casual salsa enthusiast, this CD will give you much listening pleasure. If you are a DJ, you simply must get this CD... your dancers will thank you!
Review by DJ EL CAOBO
Rick Davies and Jazzismo
Jazz USA - by John Barrett
Because of its melting-pot culture and the wealth ...
Because of its melting-pot culture and the wealth of musicians there, New York City may have the best Latin jazz in America. Take this lineup, for example: Sam Furnace plays in the Brooklyn Sax Quartet, pianist Arturo O'Farrill was the musical director of his father's big band, and Harvie Swartz and Vince Cherico have played rhythm on several Latin albums. Their leader is Rick Davies, with his buttery-sounding trombone; he barrels down low on "Tuno", while Furnace adds a crisp alto. Avoiding Barry Rogers-type smears, Rick's tone is pretty clean, a little like Chris Washburne's.
"Palladium Mozambique" honors the city's great Latin ballroom; cowbells lead the way to a mighty horn riff. Arturo starts with a dainty touch, slowly venturing into chords during Swartz' rubbery solo. Furnace is a little strident, but Davies makes up for it; his turn has rasp and quiet power. After that fury, you need a slow cha-cha: that is "Suave", which it is. The horns form close harmonies around O'Farrill's lush comp; Sam gets intense, and the heat builds around him. Arturo is sleek, Rick is dignified - and you could dance all night.
"Piedra" is a tricky waltz: the horns go spinning as O'Farrill bangs out rhythm. The theme turns sour, and a little mysterious; hear Arturo sneak about on his solo. Davies then barks a little, and Furnace's force is put to good use. "Lady K" is slow and graceful - Rick takes charge on this bolero, ascending with flair. His solo doesn't deviate much from the theme, but it doesn't need to. While the montuno races on "Minor Byrd", the horns work through a melodic maze. Rick's solo turns at sharp angles; hear how nicely Arturo blends in. Sam's turn is simpler, with a lovely honk; Harvie bounces a good effort, and then it rolls to a close. Rick Davies sure belongs in this company, as surely as this disc belongs in your collection.
Salsa Stut
LatinJazzClub.com Magazine
Rick Davies & Jazzismo
Latin Jazz with an attitude
Rick Davies & Jazzismo
From the Big Apple, New York City comes this exciting recording from Trombonist Rick Davies and his Latin Jazz Sextet Jazzismo. Leader, Rick Davies received his Ph.D from New York University with his dissertation on Cuban Brass Performance. He has been the Musical Director for the Wayne Gorbea Salsa Picante unit and this has helped in his approach to playing Latin Jazz. His line of attack is to play with a swing that is not only harmonic but also danceable. Rick has gained his knowledge of the Latin scene by performing with heavies like Tito Puente, Johnny Colon, Charlie Palmieri, Marc Anthony, Manny Oquendo's Libre, Rey Reyes, Johnny Ray and Wayne Gorbea. He has recorded on over one hundred albums and is slated to release a book on the Afro-Cuban and Salsa brass tradition, which will be available in 2002. If that isn't enough he has also performed with the likes of Michael Jackson, Blondie and Wyclef Jean.
Salsa Strut features a seasoned crew of musicians. Sam Furnace is heard on alto sax. His fiery sound can be found in many recordings of the great Mongo Santamaria and Chico O'Farrill. Vince Cherico is the group's drummer whose heavy-duty work has also been featred with the Ray Barretto's New World Spirit band and the Bronx Horns. Bassist Harvie Swartz has recorded with many different Latin Jazz and Jazz artists. His fabulous work with Ray Barretto, Ray Vega, Chris Washburne, Bronx Horns and his own group Eye Contact have given him much deserved recognition and critical acclaim. Juan Rodriguez is the group's conguero and has a clean crisp sound. He has worked with Bobby Sanabria and Wayne Gorbea. Featured on piano is Arturo O'Farrill. He not only was the musical director for the Big Band led by his father none other than the great Chico O'Farrill, but, has recorded on his own and with many top acts in the Latin Jazz world.
The music selected by Rick Davies and Jazzismo for Salsa Strut is all-original and has a particular swing that could perhaps be pleasing for both Jazz and Latin fans alike. Each tune possesses its own identity and structure. The opening number and title track "Salsa Strut" has danceable and Jazzy progressive phrases with a heavy salsa based groove with superb solos from Rick Davies, Arturo and Vince Cherico. "Tuno" is a slower paced mambo with horn phrases and changing bridge. O'Farrill's catchy vamp is heard as introduction to opening a battle exchange between Rick and Sam. The tune then closes with a solid conga solo from Juan Rodriguez. The only disappointment is the fade right when things get cooking.
"Palladium Mozambique" is a bebop style son-montuno that features a subtle bass solo from Swartz. Once again Sam Furnace takes a progressive style solo and the tune closes with Juan on congas. The next tune "Suave" is a danceable Cha-Cha that has an attractive melody highlighting the harmonically rich qualities of the band."Piedra" is a progressive and jazzy 6/8 number that is full of creativity and depth including some interesting use of the horn lines. Inspired by Rick's wife Karen, "Lady K" is like listening to Billy Strayhorn interpreting a bolero. "Minor Byrd" closes out the session.
Rick Davis and his Latin Jazz unit of musicians deliver a fine performance on Salsa Strut. Of noteworthy mention is the spirited piano work of Arturo O'Farrill. This is music that is not only danceable but also good for listening. If you enjoy pure, clean and emotional music then by all means pick it up and add it to your library.
For more information on Jazzismo check out their website at www.jazzismo.com
By Erik "Chico" Manqueros
Contributing writer LatinJazzClub.com Magazine
Email: EManqueros@LatinJazzClub.com
Host & Producer of The Latin Style of Jazz
Rick Davies and Jazzismo
Bochinchat, Summer 2001, CD Review:
Experience has taught us that good things eventual...
Experience has taught us that good things eventually can become great, and can also be found anywhere and everywhere – if only we open our mental windows to let some fresh air in. With that being said, I introduce you to an accomplished musician and trombonist, Rick Davies and his crew Jazzismo. This project is as refreshing as a “piragua” on a hot summer day. Oh, did I tell you about the price increase of these “criollo” ices – I guess the market has been cornered on Mavi!!….
Anyway, about Jazzismo. We begin with the title cut, Salsa Strut. This cut lays the foundation for all of the top-rated, talented musicians that comprise Jazzismo. It is a jam session that calls out “Tarima, everyone to the dance floor?” Vince Cherico on his drum solo just smokes!
Next on tap we have Tuno. This tune has a very classic Latin jazz flavor that can be employed as a mambo session in today’s clubs. Arturo O’Farrill on piano is exceptional and Juan Rodíguez fires up the “cueros” with a closing conga solo that blew the laser eye out of my CD player; I’m still looking for my warranty. This cut seems to be the musician’s role call. Sam Furnace on alto saxophone and Harvie Swartz on bass exchange “Ali-Frazier” type combinations.
On the cool down cha-cha note, Suave, Rick Davies explains to us via his trombone notes why he made this project – because it’s just simply good. As you sip on your Margarita or a Cuba Libre, this tune will close out the night with class.
Piedra and Lady K (a classy dedication to Rick’s wife Karen), checks in with a strong trombone. Once again, the music takes you on a passionate ride. Amazing how the arrangements and the understanding reached between musical note and musician are so in harmony.
Minor Bird is smooth and cool. This tune just glides along.
This project, under the co-production of Salsa Picante’s very talented Pianist, Wayne Gorbea, has refreshed the Latin jazz world. Just as the “piragua” has stood the test of time, this musical “refreshment” will also give your CD collection a timeless addition.
-- Angel Luis Garcia, Jr., Reviewer – Bochinchat Magazine
