THE AFRO-CARIBBEAN JAZZ COLLECTIVE

CORTADITO

JGB Music

José Guzman, guitar/conductor/composer/arranger; Andrey Goncalves, bass; Michael Rodriguez, timbales; Victor “Junito” Gonzalez, bongo/bell; Javier Quintana, congas/Barril; Jose Natal, Barril; Victor Garcia, trumpet; Brian Stark, tenor saxophone; Ben Carrasquillo, trombone.

José Guzman is a native of Ponce, Puerto Rico.  He brings his rich musical culture to this project, along with influences from his current midwestern lifestyle in Illinois, mixed with some classical and rock musical roots.

“Orchard Downs” kicks this album into gear, showcasing melodic horn lines that punch the melody into place. They are supported by bright percussion. This is an energetic toe-tapping-tune that encourages dancing. Each talented horn player takes a solo.  Brian Stark is impressive on his tenor saxophone, followed by Victor Garcia on a blistering trumpet improvisation. This tune is named after the apartment complex that Guzman lived in while attending the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. I really enjoyed those Songo rhythms that propelled the percussion solo.

Guzman’s tune, “Holande Pa Uste” once again spotlights his wonderful percussion players and his keen sense of melody. His original compositions also introduce us to the Puerto Rican Bomba rhythms (holandes and yuba). Track #3 sounds very contemporary, with Guzman’s rhythm guitar setting the tone for the tune, right up-front.  He paints  “A Sunny Kind of Day” with a slow, hypnotic cha-cha rhythm. It was inspired by Guzman’s memory of the lush hillsides and beaches of Puerto Rico.

Back in 2019, The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective released an album celebrating popular jazz songs, like “Love For Sale.”  However, on this current album, they are playing five original compositions by José Guzmen, one tune by Roberto Cantoral, and one song written by sax man, Brian Stark.

Stark’s tune is titled “El Volcan” and is the final original composition on this album. I enjoy the many breaks in these Latin arrangements that grab the listener’s attention in artistic ways. Stark sounds joyful and spontaneous during his tenor sax solo.  Also, the warm trombone solo of Ben Carrasquillo is captivating. The percussionists play their hearts out against Guzman’s repetitive guitar line, and the horns take the tune to its ending, splashing the arrangement with colorful harmonics.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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