Cal Tjader: Catch The Groove, Live at The Penthouse, 1963-1967

  In the press release for the Record Store Day issue of Catch The Groove, Live at The Penthouse, 1963-1967, a compilation of radio broadcasts by Cal Tjader, it’s noted that the last new music to be heard from the late vibraphonist came out two decades ago. The reference is to Cuban Fantasy (Fantasy, 2003), which I had the immense pleasure of producing from performances in San Francisco in 1977. Now I have the added enjoyment of listening to several earlier editions of his bands beautifully captured from a series of appearances at the Penthouse in Seattle. Zev Feldman has been working for years with the stash of tapes from the club recorded and preserved by Jim Wilke. In addition to the wonderful music that he’s been presenting, Feldman always puts together appreciative and informative packages for his releases. The booklet for this set includes memorabilia from the club, previously unseen photos, admiring notes from vibraphonists Joe Locke, Gary Burton, and Terry Gibbs, plus heartfelt reminiscences by drummer Carl Burnett (heard on the 1966 and 1967 sessions), pianist Eddie Palmieri (who made two records with Tjader), and percussionist Poncho Sanchez (who played in Tjader’s band from 1975 until Tjader passed away in 1982), and more. Jim Wilke describes the sound of the band as “good-natured, outgoing music,” and from the warm appreciations that appear in the booklet, it seems that “good-natured” and “outgoing” describe the man as well as his music. There have been a few non-Latin musicians who became well-known for their forays into Latin music. Tjader’s heritage was Swedish, but that didn’t really matter, since he demonstrated a genuine affinity for Latin rhythms. Palmieri calls him “the most natural musician I’ve ever met,” high praise indeed. The first of the 27 songs heard in this set is Billy Strayhorn’s Take the “A” Train and the last track is Along Comes Mary, the 1966 pop hit by the Association. Each one, and everything in between, including standards like Here’s That Rainy Day and On Green Dolphin Street, original tunes like Tjader’s Davito and Soul Burst and jazz compositions like Strayhorn’s Lush Life and Milt Jackson’s Bags’ Groove, gets a respectful and swinging arrangement. The musical treats here are plentiful, with Tjader’s immensely appealing vibraphone inventions front and center, with sustained rhythmic fire from drummers Johnny Rae and Carl Burnett, and Bill Fitch and the masterful Armando Peraza on congas and bongos. When a 24-year old Poncho Sanchez joined the Tjader group, Tjader advised him to “just catch the groove, man.” Good advice, whether you were playing in the band or just listening to their music. Happily recommended. 

Jazz Detective DDJD-012 (also on vinyl); Cal Tjader (vib on all tracks); Seattle, WA; personnel and dates as noted: Disc 1 (76:41); February 2, 1963: Clare Fischer (p) Fred Schreiber (b) Johnny Rae (d, timb) Bill Fitch (cga, perc): Take the “A” Train/ In Your Own Sweet Way/ It Never Entered My Mind/ Morning of the Carnival (Manha de Carnaval)/ Insight. May 6, 1965: Lonnie Hewitt (p) Terry Hilliard (b) Rae (d, timb) Armando Peraza (cga, bgo): Sunset Boulevard/Here’s That Rainy Day/ Davito/ Pantano/ Leyte/ Half and Half. May 13, 1965: same group as May 6: On Green Dolphin Street/ Love For Sale/ Reza/ Maramoor Mambo. Disc 2 (70:14): June 9, 1966: Al Zulaica (p) Monk Montgomery (b) Carl Burnett (d) Peraza (cga, bgo): The Shadow of Your Smile/ Bags’ Groove/ Morning/ Mambo Inn. June 16, 1966: same group as June 9: On Green Dolphin Street/ I Can’t Get Started/ Soul Burst/ Cuban Fantasy. June 8 ,1967: Zulaica (p) Stan Gilbert (b) Burnett (d) Peraza (cga, bgo): O Morro Não Tem Vez/ Fuji/ Lush Life/ Along Comes Mary. www.thejazzdetective.com

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