SALONGO - SALONGO (2008)

Sàlongo is the brain-child of trumpeter/composer/arranger/leader Eddie Allen.

 This "feel good" Afro-Cuban/Brazilian septet plays mambo, cha-cha,

bossa nova and samba mixed with jazz (and a little R&B)

Eddie Allen - trumpet, flugelhorn, electric trumpet, hadclaps & vocals

Bruce Williams - alto sax, flute & handclaps

Teodross Avery - tenor sax

Hector Martignon - piano

Mario Rodriguez - electric bass

Diego Lopez - drums

Renato Thoms - congas & percussion

Special Guest:

Uli Geissendoerfer - keyboards & handclaps

more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels

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

Salongo is the creation of trumpeter Eddie Allen, a septet with the heart of an orchestra. A Latin fire generated from the exciting rhythm section and a slick, smooth jazz approach to the upbeat melodies that keeps this debut recording for the group burning with non-stop energy. The album has nine songs, all but one “My Little Suede Shoes” (by Charlie Parker) are composed by Allen.

The rhythm section of drummer, Diego Lopez, bassist Mario Rodriguez, pianist Hector Martignon and conguero Renato Thoms push every song into the Latin dance party mode. The front men, Eddie Allen (trumpet, flugelhorn), Teodross Avery (tenor saxophone) and Bruce Williams (alto saxophone, flute) play in harmony through wonderful arrangements for bossa nova, cha-cha-cha or samba rhythms, when break out time comes they lay down some inspiring solos.

The recording does not have many slow dance selections, a stand out is “Touch” a tender ballad where the band plays straight ahead jazz and the soloists let loose. The song features a very touching flute solo by Bruce Williams, short but sweet.   

Most of the tunes are up tempo, kicking it off with “Brazilian Sunset” the party gets started in fine fashion. A very nice tenor saxophone break from Teodross Avery followed up by some exciting piano care of Hector Martignon. “Nymphs Of The Sudan” a near samba reggae feel has wonderful interaction between the soloists. The percussion section goes wild on the final verse with excellent syncopated fills, a great call and response from Renato Thoms and Diego Lopez.

“Midnight Rain” is an interesting selection featuring Allen on electric trumpet; a wailing Stratocaster type of sound is produced that is fusion inspired. The song “Touch” has Allen on muted trumpet and sounding very blue. The finale “Just So You Know” has a swinging trumpet solo that is clean and smooth, Eddie Allen has many contrasts in trumpet styles and sounds.