HutchFan

I've been digging this lately. It's super synth-heavy, very much a "1980s" sound. But the sound is interesting because EVERY aspect of the music is percussion- and rhythm-oriented, even the keyboards. The net effect is very much "in your face" music, very dense, very complex, very electronically processed. Actually, there are aspects of this music that remind me of M-Base stuff (especially the rhythmic complexity and angularity) -- but imagine M-Base that uses Afro-Cuban musical traditions as a launching point rather than African-American ones. So, for example, there's that Cuban classical thing woven in there, like a Latin-y Joe Zawinul. It's interesting.

Just did some reading about this record. Looks like one to track down. ... Thanks for the heads-up! NP:

Paulo Moura !!!

I only discovered it recently. Pretty good stuff -- if you're into 80s-ish Brazilian fusion. In Brazil, the same music was issued as High Life (not in Slagle's name) on Elektra Musician. If you'd like to give it a listen... The Brazilian cover is less garish, no?

Out Front - It would be great if you could just copy-and-paste the info right in this thread. I'd be interested in seeing it.

Absolutely. NP: Charles Earland - Front Burner (Milestone, 1988) with Virgil Jones (tr), Bill Easley (ts, ss), Bobby Broom (g), Buddy Williams (d) and Frank Colon (cga) Some good stuff from "The Mighty Burner"!

I think I discovered that record a couple years ago when I was working on my 70s jazz blog. IIRC, I read about Mario Bauza and Graciela leaving Machito's band in the 70s -- maybe it was in John Storm Roberts' Latin Tinge? -- and that led me to discogs to explore their work. I think discogs led me to both La Botánica and Afro-Cuban Jazz. Incidentally, if you're an Amazon Prime member, you can listen to Afro-Cuban Jazz via that service. The cover is different (and they don't give Graciela leadership credit), as shown below: Also, here are the Caiman listings on discogs. [EDIT: I just now see that Dub Modal beat me to the punch. ] I've heard that the Caiman LP called Super All Stars is really good. (Again, maybe read that in Latin Tinge?) I haven't heard all of it, but here are a couple cuts: Here are the personnel credits for the Super All Stars: Alto Saxophone [Saxofones Alto], Flute [Flauta] – Paquito D'Rivera Bass [Bajo] – Andy González Chorus – Adalberto Santiago, Leo González, Felo Barrios Congas – Daniel Ponce Drums [Bateria] – Ignacio Berroa Guiro – Felo Barrios Guitar [Guitarra] – Juan Márquez Piano – Paquito Pastor Tenor Saxophone [Saxofones Tenores], Baritone Saxophone [Saxofones Baritono], Piccolo Flute [Picolo] – Mario Rivera Timbales, Vibraphone [Vibrafono] – Tito Puente Trombone – Claudio Roditi, José Rodrigues, Steve Turre Trumpet [Trompetas] – 'Chocolate' Armenteros, Spanky Davis, Valery Ponomorev LOTS of Latin Jazz heavies!

Now: Irakere - El Coco (Milestone/JVC) Earlier: Chucho Valdés - Tema de Chaka (Areito)

Robertinho Silva - Speak No Evil (Milestone) Originally released in Brazil as Bodas de Prata (Discos CBS, 1989).

Egberto Gismonti and Academia De Danças - Sanfona (ECM, 1981) Disc 1 - with Mauro Senise (ss, as, fl), Zeca Assumpção (b), and Nene (d, perc)

Good deal. I'm gonna check that one out. Thanks. I think I've only heard Jeff Brillinger on one record, but it's a doozy: Chet Baker's Broken Wing. Yes sir! Roditi and Sandoval are top-shelf trumpeters/musicians. No doubt!

That looks interesting, John. I like that Levy digs into EKE's back-catalog a bit; he doesn't just play the same old same old hits. Walrath's presence is also a plus. What do you think of it? NP: Herbie Hancock - Future Shock (CBS) Not really jazz. But so what?

Azymuth - Flame / Spectrum (Milestone, 1984/85) 2 LPs on 1 CD Wish I could have been there.

NP: Graciela, Mario Bauza, and Friends - Afro-Cuban Jazz (Caiman, 1986)

Earlier: Ralph Moore - Images (Landmark) Now: The Ballad Artistry of Buddy Tate (Sackville) Masterful.

Claudio Roditi's two Milestone LPs are still in "heavy rotation" at my house. and

Jimmy Ponder - Down Here on the Ground (Milestone, 1984) with Mickey Tucker, Arnold Sterling, et al R.I.P. to Bob Porter, who produced this LP

I need to get that one.

Airto Moreira - Struck by Lightning (Venture, 1989)

Francisco Aguabella - Hitting Hard (CuBop) Originally released on the Epsilon label in 1977

Claudio Roditi - Slow Fire (Milestone, 1989)

A wonderful musician. R.I.P.

Steve Slagle - Rio Highlife (Atlantic, 1986) with a group of outstanding Brazilian musicians (largely drawn from Milton Nascimento's band): Ricardo Silveira (g), Luiz Avellar (kybds), Nico Assumpção (b), and Carlos "Bala" Gomes (d)