This digital E.P. presents a variety of avenues in latin jazz with references to historical and contemporary styles from New York, Cuba and elsewhere. Rumba in Three is a jazz guaguanco written in sequences of three bars. ending with a feverish solo by drummer Joel Mateo. Sun Touch, a Herbie Hancock composition from the 1970s, here receives a latin jazz treatment using the Puerto Rican bomba rhythm and featuring an extended solo by trumpeter David Smith. VLT features added horns by Smith and saxophonist Morgan Price, closing with a solo in 9/8 meter by percussionist Mauricio Herrera. Village Gate is a newly composed riff on 1960s jams by Mongo Santamaria, featuring both Herrera and percussionist Carlos Maldonado. On Untitled Mozambique, Alex Ayala gets a turn, with Eckroth returning to the fender rhodes for the track.
Track information: (all Compositions by Eckroth except where indicated)
1. RUMBA IN THREE
Michael Eckroth- Piano
Alex Apolo Ayala- Bass
Joel Mateo -Drums
Mauricio Herrera- Congas
2. SUN TOUCH (Hancock)
Michael Eckroth- Electric Piano, Synthesizers
David Smith- Trumpet
Morgan Price- Bass Clarinet, Flute
Alex Apolo Ayala- Bass
Joel Mateo- Drums
Carlos Maldonado and Mauricio Herrera -Percussion
3. V.L.T
Michael Eckroth- Piano
David Smith- Trumpet
Morgan Price- Alto Saxophone
Alex Apolo- Ayala Bass
Joel Mateo- Drums
Mauricio Herrera- Congas
4. VILLAGE GATE
Michael Eckroth- Piano
Alex Apolo Ayala- Bass
Joel Mateo- Drums
Mauricio Herrera- Congas
Carlos Maldonado- Bongos
5. UNTITLED MOZAMBIQUE
Michael Eckroth- Electric Piano
Alex Apolo Ayala- Bass
Joel Mateo- Drums
Mauricio Herrera- Congas
Recorded at Douglas Studios with Peter Karl.
Mixed and Mastered by Dave Darlington
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