MARLON SIMON AND THE NAGUAL SPIRITS - IN CASE YOU MISSED IT (2007)
Peter Brainin (soprano saxophone)
Alex Norris (trumpet)
Barry Sames (trombone)
Boris Kozlov (bass guitar)
Michael Boone (bass)
Marlon Simon (drum set and percussion)
Roberto Quintero (congas)
Overture - 7.37 In Case You Missed It - 5.26 Home Cooking - 6.09 Pa Los Morillo - 4.46 Un Canto a Ericka - 8.03 Passing By - 6.29 Huele a Peligro - 5.22 Manicero - 5.20 Root Medley - 9.20
review by Edward Blanco - courtesy www.ejazznews.com
Drummer and
percussionist
Marlon Simon crafts another Latin Jazz album full of
Afro-Cuban rhythms featuring a heavy percussive sound with his long
time band he calls the Nagual Spirits. Playing with Simon on this
project are his brothers renowned pianist
Edward Simon
and trumpeter
Michael, tenor man Peter Brainin, trumpeter Alex
Norris, whom I’ve had the pleasure of seeing many times when he
played with the University of Miami Concert Jazz Band, bassist
Michael Boone, and Roberto Quintero on congas just to name a few.
The album contains nine tracks with four originals. Simon includes
the Hilton Ruiz classic “Home Cooking,” in tribute to the late
master; in fact the album is in part homage to Ruiz and John
Stubblefield.
The music as you can imagine captures the Afro-Latin sound with an
infectious beat that permeates through out the whole session.
Simon’s compositions (“Pa Los Morillio,” “Un Canto A Ericka,”
“Passing By,” and “Root Medley”) are stellar eliciting a reaction
from one’s shoulders wanting to move to the groove. The title track,
a Bobby Watson composition, moves and gyrates with a terrific catchy
rhythm showcasing a stylish solo from Brainin.
Brother Ed and saxophonist Brainin provide a delicious performance
on the slow ballad of Armando Manzanero’s “Huele A Peligro.” The
Moises Simons tune “Manicero,” provides one of the best percussive
flavors here featuring Quintero on congas, clave and guiro while
Simon hits the drums and timbales.
“In Case You Missed It,” you definitely need to rewind and play
again because this is one sizzling piece of music that gives off
plenty of heat. If you favor the Latin jazz sound then gets a hold
of this album before you miss Marlon’s progressive jazz statement
here.
