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"West Coast Exploratory Journeys in Music"
1. (8:35) This 2. (9:55) For Demian 3. (14:48) Mambo Psychedelic Blues 4. (16:39) Right Here 5. (9:08) That 6. (11:17) Amen 1,3 recorded 8/7/11 (Brown,Gordon,Rodriguez,Woodhouse) 2 recorded 11/27/11; 4-6 recorded 9/4/11 (Brown,Gordon,Nunez,Rodriguez,Woodhouse) Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Scott Brown at SB Studios, South San Francisco, CA ©2012 Ahau Records Jim Gordon appears courtesy of PeaceLove Records Artwork, Layout and Design by Scott Brown Alex Nunez - Congas (on 2,4,5 and 6) Andy Woodhouse - Bass Jim Gordon - Horns,Keys,Percussion John Rodriguez - Drumset Scott Brown - Guitar,Percussion Released 1/27/2012 |
"This, the latest release from the San Francisco Latin Jazz Society is a multi-cultural sonic exploratory transcending genres but with
a smoldering Latin sub current churning just below the surface. Dancing, romancing and the stereotypical extended Latin jam
session are pushed well aside in favor of an inventive and well defined style which revolves around textured rhythms and grooves
for a retro yet incredibly contemporary ambient feel that pushes musical boundaries.
Opening with the title track "This" there is a harmonic ambiance broken with the a subtle free lyrical flow of rhythmic guitar and an
organic pulse of percussion and horns. A free form lyrical Latin movement of sound and energy with an undulating pulse, a musical
sense of purpose. "Mambo Psychedelic Blues" kicks off with a deep bass groove and is soon followed with Jim Gordon's more
abstract horn work which adds tremendous lyrical depth and propels this tune to a new Latin flavored dimension. "Right Here" may
fit more with what some consider traditional Latin jazz which includes punctuating rhythms and horns that are laid over a more free
jazz approach including the smoldering guitar work of Scott Brown. Avant-garde yet incredibly accessible. An incredible fusion of
post modern and Latin music into a unique Latin sub genre within the trademark San Francisco sound.
The groove on This is undeniable within this sonic melting pot. Dancing and romancing? No...Instead the San Francisco Latin Jazz
Society welcomes you to the land of rhythm and pleasure. A unique hybridization of Latin and free jazz where there the music
successfully moves past the traditional if not self imposed limitations of a particular genre and create a unique experience where the
listener is offered the opportunity to pull from a myriad of sounds and influences to see just where this musical destination may lead
them.
An incredibly organic, original and orchestrated music force that transcends genres with ease.
Visceral and cerebral jazz for the mind and the soul!
The new voice for Latin Jazz.
A triumph!
Tracks: This; For Demian; Mambo Psycheddic Blues; Right Here; That; Amen.
Personnel: Alex Nunez: congas (2,4,5,6); Andy Woodhouse: bass; Jim Gordon: horns, keys, percussion; John Rodriguez: drums;
Scott Brown: guitar, percussion." - Brent Black, @Critical Jazz
see the whole review here on Brent's extraordinary website - and be sure to check out all the reviews of other music on his site - a
great resource!
"The San Francisco Latin Jazz Society is standing all by its lonesome in a corner of the jazz room. Filling a largely ignored niche,
SFLJS channels late sixties Latin jazz à la Gato Barbieri and fuses it with the rock-jazz fusion that rose to prominence in the
seventies with bands like Mahavishnu Orchestra and the Love, Devotion, Surrender (Columbia, 1973) collaboration between
guitarists Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin.
On its previous release, Now What (Ahau Records, 2011), SFLJS kept a course bordering close to the avant-garde territory to
which Barbieri led his ensemble on the seminal In Search of the Mystery (ESP, 1967). On This, however, the SFLJS's focus is
heavier on the '70s psychedelic trip-jam. The result is a series of compositions with hazy riffs, intoxicating vamps and billowy
grooves.
The title track opens the album with drips of keyboard and drops of percussion that grow into a cascade of guitar lightning and
trumpet thunder. "For Demian" follows, starting with a languid sense of peace that builds up to anthemic shouts to the skies above.
"Mambo Psychedelic Blues" tosses fire in all directions, but it's the casual loping bass lines that drive the tune. "Right Here"
bounces along with a buoyant groove, even as guitars slash across the rhythms with razor sharp distortions and keyboards scatter
skewed notes around the melody like rose petals. "That" provides for some strong soloing over infectious Latin rhythms. The
album finale, "Amen," is a boiling cauldron of notes that cooks itself away and ends with steamy wisps of flute.
Listening to a disparate amount of jazz, the development of the music over time becomes apparent. It's an exhilarating sensation to
hear an album that has stepped outside of the jazz timeline and recorded music that has a heart beating in the present day yet
with an old soul sound. This is deliciously nostalgic to a time of vast musical experimentation, and the San Francisco Latin Jazz
Society imbues this sound with a modern voice to make for some very compelling music.
Track Listing: This; For Demian; Mambo Psychedelic Blues; Right Here; That; Amen.
Personnel: Scott Brown: guitar, percussion; Jim Gordon: tenor sax, flute, piano; Andy Woodhouse: bass; John S Rodriguez: drums;
Alex Nunez: conga." - Dave Sumner, AllAboutJazz.com
see the actual review here on All About Jazz!
a smoldering Latin sub current churning just below the surface. Dancing, romancing and the stereotypical extended Latin jam
session are pushed well aside in favor of an inventive and well defined style which revolves around textured rhythms and grooves
for a retro yet incredibly contemporary ambient feel that pushes musical boundaries.
Opening with the title track "This" there is a harmonic ambiance broken with the a subtle free lyrical flow of rhythmic guitar and an
organic pulse of percussion and horns. A free form lyrical Latin movement of sound and energy with an undulating pulse, a musical
sense of purpose. "Mambo Psychedelic Blues" kicks off with a deep bass groove and is soon followed with Jim Gordon's more
abstract horn work which adds tremendous lyrical depth and propels this tune to a new Latin flavored dimension. "Right Here" may
fit more with what some consider traditional Latin jazz which includes punctuating rhythms and horns that are laid over a more free
jazz approach including the smoldering guitar work of Scott Brown. Avant-garde yet incredibly accessible. An incredible fusion of
post modern and Latin music into a unique Latin sub genre within the trademark San Francisco sound.
The groove on This is undeniable within this sonic melting pot. Dancing and romancing? No...Instead the San Francisco Latin Jazz
Society welcomes you to the land of rhythm and pleasure. A unique hybridization of Latin and free jazz where there the music
successfully moves past the traditional if not self imposed limitations of a particular genre and create a unique experience where the
listener is offered the opportunity to pull from a myriad of sounds and influences to see just where this musical destination may lead
them.
An incredibly organic, original and orchestrated music force that transcends genres with ease.
Visceral and cerebral jazz for the mind and the soul!
The new voice for Latin Jazz.
A triumph!
Tracks: This; For Demian; Mambo Psycheddic Blues; Right Here; That; Amen.
Personnel: Alex Nunez: congas (2,4,5,6); Andy Woodhouse: bass; Jim Gordon: horns, keys, percussion; John Rodriguez: drums;
Scott Brown: guitar, percussion." - Brent Black, @Critical Jazz
see the whole review here on Brent's extraordinary website - and be sure to check out all the reviews of other music on his site - a
great resource!
"The San Francisco Latin Jazz Society is standing all by its lonesome in a corner of the jazz room. Filling a largely ignored niche,
SFLJS channels late sixties Latin jazz à la Gato Barbieri and fuses it with the rock-jazz fusion that rose to prominence in the
seventies with bands like Mahavishnu Orchestra and the Love, Devotion, Surrender (Columbia, 1973) collaboration between
guitarists Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin.
On its previous release, Now What (Ahau Records, 2011), SFLJS kept a course bordering close to the avant-garde territory to
which Barbieri led his ensemble on the seminal In Search of the Mystery (ESP, 1967). On This, however, the SFLJS's focus is
heavier on the '70s psychedelic trip-jam. The result is a series of compositions with hazy riffs, intoxicating vamps and billowy
grooves.
The title track opens the album with drips of keyboard and drops of percussion that grow into a cascade of guitar lightning and
trumpet thunder. "For Demian" follows, starting with a languid sense of peace that builds up to anthemic shouts to the skies above.
"Mambo Psychedelic Blues" tosses fire in all directions, but it's the casual loping bass lines that drive the tune. "Right Here"
bounces along with a buoyant groove, even as guitars slash across the rhythms with razor sharp distortions and keyboards scatter
skewed notes around the melody like rose petals. "That" provides for some strong soloing over infectious Latin rhythms. The
album finale, "Amen," is a boiling cauldron of notes that cooks itself away and ends with steamy wisps of flute.
Listening to a disparate amount of jazz, the development of the music over time becomes apparent. It's an exhilarating sensation to
hear an album that has stepped outside of the jazz timeline and recorded music that has a heart beating in the present day yet
with an old soul sound. This is deliciously nostalgic to a time of vast musical experimentation, and the San Francisco Latin Jazz
Society imbues this sound with a modern voice to make for some very compelling music.
Track Listing: This; For Demian; Mambo Psychedelic Blues; Right Here; That; Amen.
Personnel: Scott Brown: guitar, percussion; Jim Gordon: tenor sax, flute, piano; Andy Woodhouse: bass; John S Rodriguez: drums;
Alex Nunez: conga." - Dave Sumner, AllAboutJazz.com
see the actual review here on All About Jazz!