THE BRONX HORNS
Catch The Feeling (32 Jazz)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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The Bronx Horns are Mitch Frohman (tenor & soprano sax, flute), Bobby Porcelli (alto sax) and Ray Vega (trumpet, flugelhorn), and if those names don't mean anything to you, then you just haven't been paying attention. At least, you haven't been paying attention to the very best in Latin jazz.

First hooking up as the brass section of Mongo Santamaria's band from 1988 to 1992, they moved as a group to Tito Puente's legendary salsa unit, where they remain as featured musicians. The Bronx Horns is their side project, and this album shows why these three players have spent the last decade as the front line in two of the greatest Latin bands in the business.

They're joined by pianist Oscar Hernandex, bassist Johnny Torres and the percussion trio of Jimmy Delgado (timbales), George Delgado (congas) and Johnny Rodriguez (bongo, bell-guiro) on most of the album, the exception being "Moody's Mood For Love" on which the group is expanded to an 11 piece band. Whatever the configuration, this music expertly played in the Latin tradition (meaning, yes, you can dance to it!) with a contemporary edge that extends its appeal well beyond the hard-core salsa audience. This is the future of Latin jazz, from a group of players well grounded in its roots.

Track List: Get Back In * Catch The Feeling * Teriaki * You're All I Have * Mitch's Mambo * Second Wind * Mambo Melani * Moody's Mood For Love * King Jacob

© 1999 - Shaun Dale