The JC Group Giveaway/Review - Mark Weinstein - Algo Mas

[Lois Gilbert]

Mark Weinstein
Jazzheads

Algo Mas (Jazzheads) is flutist Mark Weinstein's latest CD featuring an all-star line-up of:
Mark Weinstein: soprano, alto and bass flutes
Jean-Paul Bourelly: electric guitar
Pedro (Pedrito) Martinez: vocals/percussion
Santi Debriano: bass
Nani Santiago: percussion
Skip (Bringuito) Burney: percussion
Gene Golden: percussion

Algo Mas combines traditional and folkloric Afro-Cuban clavé with the burning electric guitar of Bourelly and the jazz improvisations of Mark's flute.

Thanks to the kindness of Mark Weinstein and Jazzheads, we have 10 copies to giveaway for a JC group review.

You can hear soundbites on Mark's site. This is an all-flash site, but optimized to load quickly. Please listen to the sound bites and if it's not your cup of tea, let someone else review. Although, it's also nice that if the music is out of your comfort zone, that you explore it anyway.

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lois@jazzcorner.com

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[Lois Gilbert]

I have 6 copies left

[Lois Gilbert]

a few early reviews in


Might I say right away that this CD project by reedman Mark Weinstein is an interlude in some of the most exquisite latin music I've heard in quite awhile. Mark's very "personal" playing style disguises his profound musical craftsmanship, as he renders his solos with incisive inventive interpretations. Weinstein's passionate improvisations are crisply articulated, often harmonically rich...Yet, subtle in their power. This is a pleasing contrast to some of the more "fusion" oriented projects that mask their soloists with more of a rock based character. That is not jazz. This project is jazz.
George Carroll - http://www.ejazznews.com/modules.php...ticle&sid=4613

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This unique recording has an uplifting spirit that blends traditonal Afro-Cuban clave rhythms and vocals with elements of jazz, rock, contemporary dance, and world music. Not to sound overly descriptive, but this music is thick with Old and New World persona; to those familiar with New York-based flautist Mark Weinstein, this should come as no surprise. His impressive resume is dotted with names like Thad Jones, Eddie Palmieri, and Tito Puente, as well as many recent recordings and the landmark 1967 Cuban Roots. After these many years Weinstein is still tapping into the flow of creativity, as vibrantly as ever on Algo Más (Something More).

The music's richness and diversity is elevated by Weinsten and the perfect ensemble of musicians. The leader's voice is fertile with jazz roots as he commands and delivers smooth notes using a variety of harmonics from his set of soprano, alto, and bass flutes. Given life by the pulse of a dynamic multi-rhythm section including bassist Santi Debriano and three percussionists (Gene Golden, Nani Santiago, and “Bringuito” Burney), the music beckons the listener to get up and dance.

The flute and percussion alone could carry the recording but two additional factors that increase the depth are vocalist/master percussionist Pedro “Pedrito” Martinez and guitarist Jean-Paul Bourelly. Martinez (who won First Place in the Thelonious Monk Institute's Afro/Latin Jazz Hand Drum competition) also colors the music with authentic and soulful vocals. Noted guitarist Bourelly brings a variety textures from Hendrixian rock electricity to native riffs and jazz improvisations on various selections.

And this is not your typical Latin or Cuban jazz recording, as it borrows heavily from traditional street and spiritual influences, beginning with “Ellegua Abierto (Open Ellegua),” which is layered with mellow guitar, voice chants, percussion, and flute solos. The music exudes a feeling of joy and optimism on “Aguas de Ochún (Ochún's Waters)” with a tempo ported by soothing flute, percussion, and engaging vocals.

There is so much to enjoy on this recording. Noteworthy pieces include the spellbinding dance of “Vientos de Oyá (Winds of Oyá),” the percussion/guitar outpouring of “Jete Dlo (First Water),” the calming “Salud Asojano (Health Asojano),” and the closing title song, which highlights free solos from Weinstein and Bourelly, making Algo Más one of this year's most memorable releases.
Mark Turner - http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=17513

[Lois Gilbert]

5 copies left

[Ron Thorne]

Wow, I'm surprised that there are any copies remaining! A free CD for writing a brief review? What's not to like about that?

Sounds very intriguing from the above reviews. I've always dug Santi Debriano's bass playing, especially his work with my buddy, Jim Pepper. Anxious to hear what he's contributed here, not to mention "Pedrito" Martinez.

A special tip o' the hat to Mark Weinstein for his generous contributions to SinginSumo's Jazz Collection, too.

[Lois Gilbert]

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

Wow, I'm surprised that there are any copies remaining! A free CD for writing a brief review? What's not to like about that?

Sounds very intriguing from the above reviews. I've always dug Santi Debriano's bass playing, especially his work with my buddy, Jim Pepper. Anxious to hear what he's contributed here, not to mention "Pedrito" Martinez.

A special tip o' the hat to Mark Weinstein for his generous contributions to SinginSumo's Jazz Collection, too.

Ron you rock thanks Lo

[Lois Gilbert]

First off Mark Weinstein is on the right path. The best thing about this recording (for percussionists) is the drummers on this album. These cats are the real deal, you got Gene Golden, Skip Burney, Pedrito Martinez, Nani Santiago. If that not enough, you have them together playing bata, rumba, and laying a very rich foundation for Mark's flute. The interesting part is the ebb and flow of the percussive base, against a flute, bass, guitar. These instruments almost float above the percussion, and add a new dimension to the way rumberos interact in a jazz context. One can initially hear that this is not like any run of the mill latin jazz recording, there is a depth, and many layers to what is going on. Even though Mark is an already established musician with oodles of credential, its always refreshing to see an artist of this caliber, searching. That's what is sounds like, a journey to chart new sounds, new ways of playing, new was to fuse sacred and secular music. Everyone from die hard rumbero to jazz fiend, and in between will enjoy this recording.

Rafael Duque, elatin jazz group

[Lois Gilbert]

we have 4 left

[jazzy mary]

Drummers?? I'm there!! I'm e-mailing you now, Lois!

[Lois Gilbert]

got 3 left