BOBBY VINCE PAUNETTO - COMMIT TO MEMORY (2005)
Modern Jazz/Latin Jazz Classic reissue from '77
Bobby Vince Paunetto Vibraharp,
acoustic piano and percussion
Tom Harrell Trumpet and flugelhorn on tracks 1,3,6,7,8,9
Mike Richmond Acoustic bass on tracks 3,7,8
Abraham Laboriel, Sr. Electric bass on tracks 2,4,5,6
Billy Drewes Soprano sax and tenor on track 7
Todd Anderson Tenor sax; flute and clarinet on track 8; electric
piano on track 4
Ronnie Cuber Baritone sax and bass clarinet
Ed Byrne Trombone
Glenn Drewes Trumpet and flugelhorn on tracks 1,2,4,5,6,9
Eddie Martinez Piano
Armen Donelian Acoustic piano on all tracks except 9
Tom Sala Drums except track 4
Frank Malabe Congas
Jon Kass Violin, viola tracks 1,3,7
John Scofield Guitar on track 1
Milton Cardona Bata drums on track 9
Steve Slagle Flute on track 6
Andy Gonzalez Acoustic bass and percussion on track 1
Justo Almario Alto sax, track 8; soprano sax solo on track 9
Jerry Gonzalez Percussion, track 2, many others
2 Taz
3 Catalano
7 Delta
8 Coral
more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels
review by Winthrop Bedford - Jazz Improv Magazine
In 1958 vibist Bobby Vince Paunetto heard vibist Cal Tjader, pianist
Vince Guaraldi, conga drummer Mongo Santamaria in what would be
considered a jazz fusion group of the time-blending jazz and latin
musical elements. An association between Paunetto and Tjader
resulted, and in 1961, the popular and well-known vibist penned a
song dedicated to his protégé Bobby Vince Paunetto. What a thrill
for a teenage, emerging musician to experience. His hero wrote a
tune for him and recorded it on an album he released on Verve
Records. By the way, the cover deserves a word. It appears to be a
man sitting on the beach on one of the moons of Jupiter, viewing
some utopic city to his left, and with the planet Jupiter on the
horizon, in vivid detail, taking up a large portion of the
illustration.
The tracks that appear on Bobby Vince Paunetto's album Commit To
Memory were originally recorded in 1974 by vibist, pianist, composer
Bobby Paunetto. In fact, on the outside of the CD booklet are the
current photos of the musicians. You would think these photos were
taken at this very session. On the inside are photos from the time
of the original recording. Remixed and remastered and released on
his own RSVP Jazz Records label the tracks are as vibrant today as
when they were recorded almost 30 years ago. Paunetto, who was
influenced and inspired by the earlier "fusion" of Tjader, created
this 1970s recording by crafting compelling arrangements, and
recruiting some of the most energetic and creative players on the
New York Music scene-including trumpter Tom Harrell.
"Catalano" by Paunetto is a light swinging jazz waltz that starts
out in a two-beat feel, and evolves into a much more instense groove
behind the solos. Among those solos is a commanding outing by Ronnie
Cuber on barition sax.
"Dragon Breath" is a straight eight note, latin-fusion kind of
groove featuring solos by Drewes and Anderson on saxes.
Paunetto's "Mediterraneo" is a brisk mambo-like piece, that includes
an intricate line played by Paunetto on vibes, with flute. The vibes
are mixed tastefully and glowing out front. It is the shimmering
voice provided by the vibes lead on the ensemble that imparts a
definitive quality to this compilation of originals by Paunetto and
saxophonist Anderson. In addition to the originals there is a
rendition of Keitn Jarrett's Coral (originally recorded by Gary
Burton and Keith Jarrett for Atlantic Records).
Paunetto is a deeply lyrical improvisor. His sensitive phrasing, and
use of a moderate amount of vibrato (via the motor that controls
that is connected to the resonator tubes) impart a wonderful
richness to his musical statements. He has ample technique on the
vibes- but rather than serving its own purpose, he uses it only as a
tool, when necessary, to express his ideas.
This album features tightly woven ensemble sections, well-played
with superb intonation and articulation by such players as Tom
Harrell on trumpet, Billy Drewes on tenor and soprano sax, Todd
Anderson on tenor and others. Commit To Memory is a fusion album in
the best sense of the word- assimilating influences from jazz,
Middle-Eastern derived melodies, funk, rock, Latin styles, and more.
