GATO BARBIERI
The Shadow Of The Cat (Peak)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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The title of this album, the 50th release in the career of the fabled Argentinian saxophonist Gato Barbieri, provides a bit of evil temptation. It would be easy to write off this effort, with its near-dominant pop influences and its supporting cast of "smooth" jazz superstars, as a shadow of the fiery tenor that came out of the avant-garde scene of the sixties and moved on to pioneering accomplishments as a world jazz performer and an influential film score composer.

Gato is, after all, in his 70th year, a survivor of a quadruple bypass and a musician with absolutely nothing left to prove to anyone. To anyone, it seems, but himself. While this is not the groundbreaking music of his youth, he's not phoning in his performance here. If the music that fills the smooth jazz airways was as consistently soulful as the 12 tracks here, well, I'd spend a lot more time with the radio on. While the rhythmic edges are pretty thoroughly filed down, there's a healthy dose of Latin groove to spice up some of the pure pop moments, and Gato finds places to prove that he can still solo with serious intent.

Herb Alpert, a long-time friend of Barbieri, adds his trumpet on a trio of cuts and uses the occasion to provide one of the too-rare demonstrations of just how strong his chops are. Guitarist Russ Freeman, founder of both the Rippingtons and the label this disc appears on, is likewise inspired to some of his best work in a pair of appearances. Other notable guests include percussionist Sheila E. and vocalist Cassandra Reed.

This is one that true jazz aficionados can safely play when their smooth jazz friends have dropped by, and keep on after their friends have gone home.

Track List:

El Chico * The Shadow Of The Cat * Last Kiss * If I Was Your Woman * Tierra Del Fuego * Beautiful Walk * Ai Ai Ai Ai * Bliss * Para Todos * Blue Habanera * Last Tango * Si Tu Me Quisieras

© 2002 - Shaun Dale