RAY OBIEDO

SLIGHT ACCENT

Rhythmus Records

Oakland, California-based guitarist and composer, Ray Obiedo has produced an album that’s simmering hot and spicy.  It mixes Latin energy and contemporary jazz together in a rich musical stew.  These arrangements and compositions tickle the taste buds and please the listener’s palate.

They start out with the Bill Wither’s hit song, “Ain’t No Sunshine” that features the lead vocals of Chloé Jean and a wonderful background vocal arrangement. Kudos to Lilan Kane, Leah Tysse & Michelle Hawkins, whose harmonies and vocal grooves are awesome! This is a toe-tapper. The familiar tune and unique arrangement should invite every radio station to play this one

Another infectious arrangement is Obiedo’s original tune called “El Matador” that allows him to spotlight his amazing guitar talents.  The percussionists keep the music energized and Peter Horvath is dynamite on piano.  Skylar Tang is magnificent on trumpet.  When Peter Michael Escovedo takes a percussive solo, it lifts this exciting arrangement even higher.  This is a wonderful tune for any jazz or Latin station to add to their programming.

I enjoy the refreshing Latin arrangement of the “Footprints” tune, featuring Bob Mintzer on tenor saxophone, and stellar percussions that elevate this familiar composition by Wayne Shorter to the moon and back.

Phil Hawkins is a solid drummer, strong as epoxy glue.  He sticks the music together with punch and drive, leaving plenty of room for his fellow percussionists to shine.  He shows his funk-side during their arrangement of Ray Obiedo’s finger-snappin’ title tune, “Slight Accent.” This tune will elevate your spirit and bring you joy. And on “Second Time Around” Hawkins pulls out his steel pans just to put an exclamation mark on his drum skills.

Ray Obiedo never disappoints!  His musicality and composer skills shine on the five albums released on the Windham Hill Jazz label, with five more released on his own Oakland-based Rhythmus Records. On this album, every tune is noteworthy and every arrangement is a trendsetter. This album belongs in your record collection.

RAY OBIEDO BAND: Ray Obiedo, acoustic & electric guitar/composer/keyboards; Chloé Jean, lead vocals; Toots Thielemans, harmonica; Dave Garibaldi & Phil Hawkins, drums; David Belove, Marc van Wageningen & Dan Feizsli, bass; Peter Horvath & David K. Mathews, keyboards; Phil Hawkins, steel Pan; Karl Perazzo, Peter Michael Escovedo, & Michael Spiro, percussion; WOODWINDS: Bob Mintzer, tenor saxophone; Jesse Levit, soprano saxophone; Norbert Stachel, tenor saxophone/flute/alto flute/clarinet/bass clarinet/horn arranger; Rita Thies, flute/alto flute; Dana Bauer, oboe. TRUMPETS/ FLUGELHORNS: Skylar Tang, Mike Olmos & Bill Ortiz; Joel Behrman, flugelhorn. TROMBONES; Jeff Cressman & Joel Behrman. BACKGROUND VOCALS: Lilan Kane, Leah Tysse & Michelle Hawkins. STRING ARRANGER: Anne Sajdera.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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