Patois RecordsBy Ric Bang • Originally published in The Davis Enterprise, 4.2.09Buy CD: Infinity
The bands and artists with whom Wayne Wallace has played are numerous: Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Lena Horne, Celine Dion and Aretha Franklin merely top the impressive list.
Wallace composes, arranges, teaches and produces, and is expert on the tenor and alto trombones. And the tuba.
This album features his Latin jazz quintet: Murray Low (keyboards), David Belove (bass), Paul van Wageningen (drums) and Michael Spiro (percussion). Guests include Roger Glenn, on vibes and flute; vocalist Jackie Ryan; and a group of background singers.
Wallace composed four of the tunes; the others are covers of familiar American and Latin standards. All are presented in various Latin jazz idioms: samba, cha cha, mambo and funk.
This group's sound is big, considering its relatively small size; plaudits to Wallace's arrangements and the artistry of the instrumentalists and vocalists. The group also is smooth and warm; the background rhythmic “noise” that sometimes is too prevalent with Latin groups is absent.
Whether you're just listening or dancing, this is a solid album for Latin jazz fans.
Patois Records
By Ric Bang • Originally published in The Davis Enterprise, 3.5.09Buy CD: The Nature of the Beat
Fans of Latin big band jazz are certain to enjoy this album.
The leader of this group, Wayne Wallace, composes, arranges and plays trombone and Wagner tuba. He has worked with name bands (Count Basie, Lionel Hampton) and artists (Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder). He's conversant with (to use his terminology) “the three genres of the Music of The Americas: jazz, R&B and Latin jazz.” The latter format is featured on this release.
This is a genuinely large unit: more than a dozen instrumentalists and almost as many supporting vocalists. The 10 tracks include Latin jazz, Latin funk, timba and timba-funk, bolero, cha cha, Cuban funk and orisha variations. Wallace wrote several cuts; artists such as Herbie Hancock and Teddy Powell contributed others.
The most interesting arrangements, however, are based on Gershwin's “Fascinatin' Rhythm” and Gerry Mulligan's “Jeru,” both of which sound great in this Latin translation.
This album is strong, and the musicians and vocalists provide as good a Latin “feel” as I've heard in awhile. Get out the rum, mix up some of those feel-good cocktails, and practice your dance steps ... then put on this CD and par-tay!
