MARK WEINSTEIN - CON ALMA (2007)

Mark Weinstein - flutes

Mark Levine - piano

Mauricio Herrera - drums

Santi Debriano - bass
Pedrito Martinez - congas

1. Santi's Africaleidescope (Santi Debriano)
2. Broadway Local (Mark Weinstein)
3. Con Alma (Dizzy Gillespie)
4. Crescent (John Coltrane)
5. Fee Fi Fo Fum (Wayne Shorter)
6. Evidence (Theloniuos Monk)
7. La Coneja Loca (Mark Levine)
8. Gotcha (Bobby Hutcherson)
9. Soul-Leo (Mulgrew Miller)
10. Monte Adentro (Orlando Maraca Valle)
11. Stella by Starlight (Victor Young)

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review by Edward Blanco - courtesy www.ejazznews.com

The late great Dizzy Gillespie would be so proud of the way flautist Mark Weinstein presents “Con Alma,” because it really is played with finesse and “with soul.” Weinstein’s latest Latin jazz album adapts a modern jazz repertoire into percussive Latin grooves firmly grounded in the Afro-Cuban style. Exciting, engaging and a burner of hot Latin sounds, this album will definitely be a favorite of those who appreciate the essence of good Latin jazz.

Weinstein cleverly translates traditional jazz standards into contemporary Latin jazz rhythms. There’s John Coltrane’s “Crescent,” Wayne Shorter’s “Fee Fi Fo Fum,” and Thelonious Monk’s classic “Evidence,” all played in a Latin jazz beat relying heavily on Mauricio Herrera’s drumming, Pedrito Martinez’s congas and Mark Levine’s wonderful piano play backing up Weinstein’s imaginative and stylish solo leads on the flute.

Not to be overlooked here is the band and what a band it is. Latin jazz great pianist Mark Levine provides several delicious piano solos. The percussions are adequately taken care of by the tandem of Herrera and Martinez who together provide the backbone of the Latin jazz beat. Bassist Santi Debriano seems to be the glue that holds the group together. As for the leader, well, you got to hear him to believe him. He makes that flute dance, sing and flow gently providing one marvelous performance throughout.

To this listener, the most outstanding piece of music on the disc is Weinstein’s own composition “La Coneja Loca,” where he delivers a terrific solo on a very catchy melody that defines his Latin jazz roots. On Bobby Hutcherson’s “Gotcha,” the leader introduces the tune with a solo shot on bass flute.

The album rounds out with a chart from pianist Mulgrew Miller (Soul-Leo) and ends with a lively rendition of Victor Young’s immortal “Stella by Starlight.” A terrific album by any standards.

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