RICK DAVIES - SIEMPRE SALSA (2006)
Rick Davies: trombone
Alex Stewart: tenor sax
Tom Cleary: piano
John Rivers: bass
Jeff Salisbury: drums
Steve Ferraris; congas
Special guests:
Wayne Gorbea &
Salsa Picante.
Rick Davies - Cena para seis
Rick Davies - Rosa primavera
Rick Davies - Insomnio
Rick Davies - Habana Nocturna
Rick Davies - Rumba Nortena
Rick Davies - Santos
Rick Davies - Calle loca
Rick Davies - Caliente Time
more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels
Review by DJ EL CAOBO for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
I first heard about Siempre Salsa by Rick Davies when fellow contributor, Pietro Carbognani from Italy, posted some information about it in the weekly electronic newsletter, Que Corra La Voz, produced by Los Colaboradores Salseros. The information that Pietro posted was enough to peak my interest. Once I obtained the CD, I discovered that it is indeed an excellent recording!
The CD also contains some excellent Latin jazz tracks, performed by Jazzismo; the Burlington, Vermont jazz sextet. Although more properly classified as Latin jazz, many salsa dancers will find them dance-worthy, especially the track Insomnio; which I particularly like. Members of Jazzismo include Rick Davies (trombone), Alex Stewart (saxophone), Tom Cleary (piano), John Rivers (bass), Jeff Salisbury (drums) and Steve Farraris (congas).
However, since I am an avid salsa enthusiast, the salsa tracks on the CD are most appealing to me: Rosa primavera and Habana nocturna. Both tracks are of just the right tempo for the dance floor; which in my opinion is the ultimate test of salsa music, and both these tracks past the "dance floor" test with flying colors. They are both sure winners for both the club DJ and the casual listener. Assisting Rick Davies on these two tracks is the hot Bronx-based salsa group, Salsa Picante, for which Rick Davies had previously been the musical director for several years.
Rosa primavera, penned by Rick Davies and his writing partner Dr. Fernando Iturburu, begins with an introductory piano line, strummed by Wayne Gorbea; the leader of Salsa Picante, that is reminiscent of Eddie Palmieri's critically acclaimed song Vámonos pa'l monte. In fact, when I first listened to the song, I thought that I was going to hear yet another of many covers of Palmieri's song. However, within just 10 seconds, just as sonero Frank Otero's somewhat nasal, but extremely appealing voice begins, I realized that the song and its arrangements were very different from the Palmieri song.
Much of the success of Rosa primavera hinges on two excellent solos: a piano solo by Wayne Gorbea and a trombone solo by Rick Davies; both accompanied by the masterfully executed percussions of Juan Rodríguez (congas), Luis Cruz (bongó) and Ruben Borgas (timbales). During these parts of the song, I cannot resist the urge to dance. In fact, while writing this review, I have found myself listening to Rosa primavera again and again, and each time, those solos have forced me to stop writing and to listening contently; rolling and bobbing my head up and down, and shimmying my shoulders!
Other Salsa Picante musicians heard on both the salsa tracks are Richie San Quintín (bass), Rafi Malkiel (trombone), Raúl Navarrette (trombone), and Tony Barrerro (trumpet).
In summary, this CD, Siempre Salsa by Rick Davies is a real winner and welcome addition to my collection of great Latin music. If you are a casual salsa enthusiast, this CD will give you much listening pleasure. If you are a DJ, you simply must get this CD... your dancers will thank you!
