THE BRONX HORNS
Silver In The Bronx (32 Jazz)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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The Bronx Horns sophomore effort for 32 jazz is dedicated to the compositions of Horace Silver, a more than fitting subject for the group. Silver, who traced his roots to Cape Verde, included Caribbean and Latin elements in his music from his earliest days, but always in a hard bop or soul jazz context. The front line of the Bronx Horns, Mitch Frohman (tenor, flute), Ray Vega (trumpet, flugelhorn) and Bobby Porcelli (alto), blow bop as well as anyone on the scene today, but they do it with a Latin accent that adds a quartet of percussionists (Johnny Rodriguez, Jimmy Delgado, Wilson "Chembo" Corniel, Jose Madera) on bongos, timales and congas to their conventional rhythm section of Bernie Minosa (bass) and Oscar Hernandez (piano).

This may be the perfect lineup for a Horace Silver tribute, and they come pretty close to the perfect tribute. Overall, the album is full of strong versions of classic songs with a great blend of ensemble and solo play that features the strengths of all the players. It shows off the inherent soulfullness of Silver's compositions without drifting too far into the funk and reflects the Latin flavor as just that, a spice that accentuates rather than smothers the straight jazz main course.

Produced by new 32 honcho Todd Barkan, this is another album of new material from what has been largely a reissue label. It's a great new direction and Barkan is off to a great start. Track List:

Sister Sadie * Home Cookin' * Senor Blues * The Preacher * Peace * Sayonara Blues * Que Pasa * Mexican Hip Dance * Silver's Seranade * Filthy McNasty

© 2000 - Shaun Dale