CHEMBO CORNIEL - THINGS I WANTED TO DO (2009)

New York style straight ahead & Latin Jazz

Ivan Renta Tenor, soprano sax
Vince Cherico Drums
Carlo DeRosa Acoustic bass
Elio Villafranca Piano, fendor rhodes
Chembo Corniel Tumbadoras, percussion
Guests:

 Dave Samuels Vibes
Ludovic Beirer Accordion
Jimmy Bosch Trombone
David Oquendo Guitar
John Di Martino Fender Rhodes
Ruben Rodriguez Acoustic bass
Tino Derado Piano
Gennaro Tedesco Lead guitar
Frank Frontaine Flute
Marvin Diz Timbales
Nelson Jaime "Gazu" Strings
Pedro Martinez Batá
Ogduardo Roman Diaz Batá
Iliana Santamaria Vocals
Junior Rivera Tres ...others

Buena Gente 5:41
Habana 7:23
September Cha 6:16
Tenia Que Ser Asi 5:26
Descarga Patato 4:54
The Sultan 6:56
Things I Wanted To Do 6:02
Isla Verde 6:42
Swing Street 5:19
Fantasma 7:03
Oru Pa' Tommy Lopez 4:28
more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels

review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for VINILEMANIA.NET

Chembo Corniel and Groupo Chaworo have a new record that is Latin Jazz at its very best. Wilson Chembo Corniel is a sideman on many recordings; he is a leader on two previous outings. On this one, Things I Wanted To Do he continues in the tradition of driving the rhythm with an enormous amount of percussive energy, passion and skill. Along with his band Chaworo, he has included special guest artists, Dave Samuels, Jimmy Bosch, David Oquendo, and Ruben Rodriguez among others. These guest artists enhance the musical journey and aid in making Things I Wanted To Do something very special.

Things I Wanted To Do has eleven tracks and most are of the high intensity variety. The recording starts off hot with “Buena Gente” a Corniel, Fontaine composition. A percussive introduction by Corniel followed by a melodic tenor saxophone by Chaworo band member Ivan Renta. A soothing fast tempo with an afro-centric groove, nice piano embellishments from Elio Villafranca with tasteful licks and powerful chords placed in ideal locales. An acoustic bass solo by Carlo Derosa with rapid runs and heart pounding rhythms at an unforgiving pace. A kaleidoscope of percussive dynamics holds it all together with dazzling intricacies all sounding simply delightful.

“Tenia Que Ser Asi” by Bobby Collazo features vibraphonist Dave Samuels. He opens the song solo and in melodic fashion with dream like waves of sonic delight. The full orchestra, including a string section enters after two bars. A ballad, a slow dance number, – you can almost picture the dancers in the ballroom of a Caribbean cruise ship swaying and turning to the gorgeous melody with a light clave pulse in the background and sumptuous tenor saxophone guiding the melody.

A fantastic Salsa based tune “Descarga Patato” rips it up with sax and trombone exchanging ideas in exciting give and take. The keyboard player Elio Villafranca plays a bouncing rhythm that never falters in providing an uplifting feel. When he breaks out, it is into a free wheeling form with plenty of fire and tasteful runs. The song has a vocal track, singing in Spanish the vocalists blend, they inspire, and they create motion and add to the excitement and joy of this spectacular musical excursion. 

Things I Wanted To Do by Chembo Corniel is fresh, exciting and joyful music. The recording incorporates many elements, it is jazz, it’s Latin, fusion, it defies a single categorization - other than to say, this is great music.