THE MARTY SHELLER ENSEMBLE - WHY DENY (2007)
Jazz with a Latin undertone. If you liked the way that Art Blakey or Horace Silver played Latin/Jazz, you'll love this version of jazz with an authentic Afro-Cuban rhythmic groove
Trumpet: Chris Rogers and Joe
Magnarelli
Trombone: Sam Burtis
Alto Sax: Bobby Porcelli
Tenor Sax: Bob Franceschini
Piano: Oscar Hernandez
Bass: Ruben Rodriguez
Drums: Vince Cherico
Percussion: Steve Berrios
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Review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for VINILEMANIA.NET
Marty Sheller, musical director, big band leader, composer, arranger, retired trumpeter and one time drummer has seemingly done it all. Well, after fifty years in the music business that would be a given. It is rather odd that this, Why Deny CD is his debut album as a leader. While reading the extensive liner notes you come to the realization that his role as sideman, arranger and composer, took up most of his time and utilized his songs on other artists albums. From about 2001 Sheller decided to save some songs for himself and the result is Why Deny a tremendous straight ahead jazz album featuring an ensemble of veteran jazz musicians who play as one.
Sheller does not want this album to be considered a Latin jazz album, however his lifetime of exposure to Latin jazz provides him with an Afro-Latin jazz sensibility that is inescapable. In combination with some of the top Latin jazz sidemen who appear on this album you have a sound that is un-mistakably immersed in that Latin jazz vibe. With its excited upbeat pulse, warm toned solos and a fiery passion that is all inspired by a Latin jazz vibe, I suppose this is Why Deny?
The opening song of the CD, an original Sheller composition, “The Route 40 Flyer” is at a fast tempo. Probably much faster than you can actually travel on U.S Route 40, a major U.S east-west highway. Opening with a drum introduction by Vince Cherico. The song sets out on its travels in a very upbeat manner, smooth cruising, a swinging rhythm section; made up of Oscar Hernandez (piano) and Ruben Rodriguez (bass), who along with drummer Cherico push the song forward at a breakneck pace. The opening solo by tenor saxophonist, Bob Franceschini is very scenic. He starts out smooth and gets very excited, covering the complete range of his saxophone he wanders down the road on his own path of discovery, rejoining at the bridge to introduce trumpeter Joe Magnarelli. With his own interpretation of the sights and sounds, Magnarelli lays down some superb lines of excitement that boil over with passion and lead us to the tremendous alto playing of the incredible Bobby Porcelli. Porcelli blows like a wild man. The race is on, speed limits be damned, pray he gets there in one piece. Yes, this is excitement, all backed up by the full ensemble with solid rhythm and accents of horns in tandem. A big band response. An excellent tune. A great arrangement.
There are plenty of great solos by the horn section. Trombonist, Sam Burtis takes an inspired extended solo on Wayne Shorter’s “Mahjong” communicating with deep intensity. He lets slide with a wonderful sounding improvisation on the beautiful melody. There is so much going on in this song you have trouble believing this is an ensemble, eight musicians - sounding more like a group of twenty players. A very big sound.
Chris Rogers is another of the soloists who shines in the original Sheller tune “Love In A Mist” a mellow tune that flows smoothly care of Rogers’ superb trumpet tone and dynamite lines. The song also features some fine sax playing by Porcelli and a soft piano interlude care of Oscar Hernandez who caresses the tune with a minimalist voice of pure lyrical phrasing.
The album Why Deny comes to a close with the title track, a Bobby Porcelli composition that starts out with a drum intro. and follows with a big band sound. A great saxophone solo leads off and the excitement never dwindles. The best tune on the album and a tune that just repeats more, more. Lets hope Marty Sheller and his group of exceptional musicians hear it as well and continue with more of the same – straight ahead and indescribable. Other than to say, this is very good music.
