Patti Austin: Havana Candy (1977)

CTI was having its troubles financially at the time. They recycled arrangements for all their artists and limited their budgets. Austin sang this undistinguished material with as much conviction as she could muster, but the general pallid air lingering over the production also affected her vocals. -- AMG

Tracklist:
01. That's Enough For Me (5:50)
02. Little Baby (4:15)
03. I Just Want To Know (4:57)
04. Havana Candy (4:37)
05. Golden Oldies (4:44)
06. I Need Somebody (4:32)
07. We're In Love (4:03)
08. Lost In The Stars (5:02)
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Steve Khan: Parting Shot (2011)

Parting Shot represents a most special moment for Steve, because it is the first time that he has felt ready to present an entire recording dedicated to Latin Jazz. Anthony Jackson, Manolo Badrena, and Steve are together yet again, alongside their bandmate of 20 years, Dennis Chambers, where, joined by master Latin musicians, Marc Quinones and Bobby Allende, they have crafted these 10 pieces of music. It is their hope that everyone will enjoy the recording to the fullest, Vaya!!!

Tracklist:
1. Chronology
2. Los Gaiteros
3. Change Agent (El Catalizador)
4. Bye-ya
5. Maria Mulambo
6. Influence Peddler (Traficante de Influencias)
7. When She s Not Here (Cuando Ella no Esta)
8. Blues Connotation
9. Zancudoville
10. Just Deserts
Personnel:
Steve Khan: guitar
Anthony Jackson: contrabass guitar
Dennis Chambers: drums
Manolo Badrena: percussion, voice (5, 10)
Marc Quinones: timbale, bongo, percussion
Bobby Allendes: conga
Rob Mounsey: keyboards (9), orchestrations (2, 4, 6 7)
Tatiana Parra: voice (6)
Andres Beeeuwsaert: voice (6)
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Mike Stern: Odds Or Evens (1991)

This is a powerhouse date of high-powered fusion, mixing together the sound of rock with the musicianship and improvising of jazz. With the assistance of tenor saxophonist Bob Berg, keyboardist Jim Beard and a rhythm section, guitarist Stern jams through a set of originals that serve as jumping-off devices for fairly long solos. The musicians really stretch themselves within the idiom and even the quieter numbers are full of intensity.

Tracklist:

1  Keys - Stern 7:28
2  D.C. - Stern 7:40
3  Common Ground - Stern 6:05
4  Odds or Evens - Stern 7:08
5  Seven Thirty - Stern 6:26
6  If You Say So - Stern 7:36
7  Sandbox - Stern 3:59
8  Walkie Talkie - Stern 6:57

Odds Or Evens
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Grover Washington, Jr.: Inside Moves (1984)

Although Grover Washington Jr. (on alto, tenor, soprano and baritone) puts on his usual strong effort, the forgettable material (which included no hits) and the emphasis on vocals (particularly those of Jon Lucien who is on five of the seven selections) makes this one of Washington's weaker efforts and the least essential of his four Elektra recordings. The background vocalists do not help much either. This was Grover Washington, Jr.'s only full-length album as a leader during the 1982-86 period but was not worth the effort.

Tracklist:

01. Inside Moves
02. Dawn Song
03. Watching You Watching Me
04. Secret Sounds
05. Jet Stream
06. When I Look At You
07. Sassy Stew
Personnel:
Grover Washington,Jr. - alto,tenor,soprano and baritone saxes
Ralph McDonald - congas,percussion,drum computer
Jon Lucien - vocal
Marcus Miller - bass,Yamaha DX-7,Jupiter 8
Richard Tee - Fender Rhodes
Eric Gale - guitar
Buddy Williams - drums
Steve Gadd - drums
Anthony McDonald - percussion
Anthony Jackson - bass
Lani Groves - background vocals
Yvone Lewis - background vocals
Maeretha Stewart - background vocals
William Eaton - bakground vocals,strings
Frank Floyd - background vocals
Zack Sounder - background vocals
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Ximo Tebar: Eclipse (2006)

Spanish guitarist Ximo Tebar is clearly so enthralled with all forms of American jazz, he attacks it--excuse the mixed ethnic metaphor--like a hungry man at a smorgasbord. Though he tilts mainly toward bop and postbop in choosing his source material--there are pieces by Joe Henderson and Wayne Shorter and an original tribute to Pat Martino--he's a dyed-in-the-wool fusion player who incorporates flamenco and Brazilian forms, adding electronics and scat vocals. There are times when his affection for pretty, synthesizer-enhanced melodies smacks of smooth jazz, but with vibraphonist Dave Samuels cutting some hard-swinging grooves and organist Rob Bargad pumping up the atmosphere, there's too much energy in the musicianship for it to linger too long in any soft spots. Tebar's guitar can take on an unusual toy-like tone, which makes his demonstrative dissection of Thelonious Monk's "Evidence" all the more interesting. --Lloyd Sachs

Personnel:
Ximo Tebar (guitar, synthesizer);
Ximo Tebar; Rob Bargad (piano, electric piano, organ);
Dario Boente (synthesizer);
Anthony Jackson (bass guitar);
Dave Samuels (vibraphone, marimba);
Donald Edwards (drums)
Tracklist:
01 Inner Urge
02 Martino
03 Mensaje
04 My Evidence (about monk and trane)
05 ESP
06 Ralladura
07 Eclipse
08 Pinocchio
09 One step ahead
10 Pure de patata
11 Tricotism
Eclipse
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