Ray Mantilla: Rebirth

  The late percussionist Ray Mantilla’s final effort as bandleader includes a Latin dance version of Ray Charles’ 1962 hit record Hit the Road, Jack, written by Percy Mayfield. Mike Freeman carries the melody on vibes, and the band blazes along. That track alone is reason to make some time for Rebirth. A note from the label explains the title. The music was recorded in early December, 2019, when Mantilla’s cancer was in remission. But Mantilla, as it turned out, only had a short time left. Before his death on March 21, 2020, he was able to approve all of the mixes and final masters. But here’s the great thing: with the sympathetic assistance of a crack ensemble with many of his favorite musicians and sturdy arrangements by keyboardist Edy Martinez, Rebirth is a gas, without a hint of anything limiting the performances. A choice range of tunes and variations in instrumentation from track to track make this CD a pleasure to listen to from start to finish, nearly an hour later. Highlights include Martinez’s Cumbia Jazz Fusion Experimental, which sets to explore the twin forces that meet as equals in Mantilla’s conception of Latin-flavored jazz. The piece moves from a sort of suspended cumbia beat into straight-ahead jazz time and then back again, with Martinez’s electric piano guiding the way. The jazz section features a gritty tenor solo by Ivan Renta. Trumpeter Guido Gonzalez shines on a version of Yuyo, an obscure Bobby Hutcherson tune from his 1975 Montara album, invigorated here in pure salsa style. Another standout is the finale, the percussion-driven Rebirth Bata Rumba Experimental, with Mantilla’s congas supplemented by three bata drummers. The versatile Diego Lopez, who plays a trap set on most of the disc, switches to bata and is joined by Ogudaro Diaz and Rafael Monteagudo for this Mantilla composition. Pianist Martinez plays a fascinating solo weaving in and out of the drummers until the fade-out. Rebirth is a fitting capstome to a genuinely illustrious career. 

Savant SCD 2181; Guido Gonzalez (tpt; flgh on 4) Ivan Renta (ss, ts) Jorge Castro (bari s on 1-3; fl on 1,3,4,6,7) Mike Freeman (vib on 3-5,7) Edy Martinez (p; Rhodes el p on 5-7,9) Reuben Rodriguez (b) Diego Lopez (d; bata on 10) Ray Mantilla (perc) Ogudaro Diaz, Rafael Monteagudo (bata on 10); Astoria, NY, December 2, 2019; 1.Moondance/ 2.Dat Dere/ 3.Hit the Road Jack/ 4.Mia/ 5.Philly Mambo/ 6.Cumbia Jazz Fusion Experimental/ 7.Yuyo/ 8.Preciosa/ 9.Martinez/10.Rebirth Bata Rumba Experimental; 56:51. www.jazzdepot.com