HECTOR CONTRERAS  & HIS LATIN JAZZ ENSEMBLE (2006)

Hector Contreras - Piano & Keyboards

Raul Pineda - Drums & Timbales

Rigoberto Lopez - Bass

Walter Valencia - congas, Bongos & Percussion

Danilo Lozano - Flute

Serafin Aguilar - Lead Trumpet & Flugelhorn

Arturo Solar - Trumpet & Flugelhorn

Frank Fontaine - Tenor, Soprano-sax & Flute

Brendon Mc Mullin - Trombone

EMILIE'S GARDEN MUSIC PRODUCTIONS

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Review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET

From the very first track “Firehouse” to the final track “Samba For You” some 14 tracks later, Hector Contreras & His Latin Jazz Ensemble burn through some progressive Latin inspired jazz. The CD features wonderful playing by all the musicians on the recording, the flugelhorn playing of Arturo Solar is especially delightful, on the track “Tu Y Yo” a slower paced ballad with Solar playing with intensity, developing a wonderful tone and producing flowing lyrical lines that compliment the song beautifully. The CD features two excellent percussionists. Drums and timbales, by Raul Pineda and congas, bongos and other assorted percussive accoutrements by Walter Valencia, these two musicians work well together to bring the soul of the music to the forefront.  

Hector Contreras, the leader of The Latin Jazz Ensemble is a fine pianist, he is featured on a few of the tracks, his playing is strong, conveying lots of passion for the music, a melodic player, sustaining his notes to create a melancholy feel, as in the song “Serenity” very touching, the song is nicely composed by Mr. Contreras as well. Contreras is the composer and arranger of all the songs on this self-titled CD. The credits list additional horn arrangements by Brendon McMullin, who also manages the trombone duties with solid playing. 

The song “Friends” is a highlight track, an up tempo tune with solos by just about everyone, the rhythm section is propelled through this song by the driving bass playing of Rigoberto Lopez who steps out to lay down some nice lines in support of the Salsa flavoured song. With outstanding solos by Arturo Solar on trumpet, Brandon McMullin on trombone, Frank Fontaine on tenor saxophone with short growling fills, Serafin Aguilar, lead trumpeter and Danilo Lozano playing flute.  

Always a good tactic by a producer, another hat that Mr. Contreras wears well, leave the listener wanting more, the last song “Samba For You” does just that. The song starts out melodic and quickly changes to a fast-paced tempo, the horn section provides a multi-layered sound that is quite compelling. The percussionist and drummer add another layer of sound that drives the song like a rhythm machine and makes the listener want to get up and move along. There is a very nice soprano saxophone solo by Frank Fontaine a nice audio treat that caps off a Samba of perfection.

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