Spindletop Records didn't get a lot of respect as an indie in the early days of smooth jazz, but it has cultivated some brilliant artists, from David Benoit through Boney James. Going south of the border and into the jungles of South America, it found itself another winner in lightning-fast guitarist Marcos Loya. Loya's spunky, spicy, and infectious composing style is what great salsa and Latin party jazz should be about. There are a few somber moments, but for the most part a song like "Queen Calafia/Linda Mexicana" sums ...
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Spindletop Records didn't get a lot of respect as an indie in the early days of smooth jazz, but it has cultivated some brilliant artists, from David Benoit through Boney James. Going south of the border and into the jungles of South America, it found itself another winner in lightning-fast guitarist Marcos Loya. Loya's spunky, spicy, and infectious composing style is what great salsa and Latin party jazz should be about. There are a few somber moments, but for the most part a song like "Queen Calafia/Linda Mexicana" sums up this funkfest: wild rhythms, punchy strings, hooky mariachi-style backing vocals, and some Herbie Mann-like flute runs courtesy of Art Webb. It seems that there are about a thousand musicians on this collection, but producer Paul Brown (credited on one cut as "Pablo Moreno") helps Loya's compositions come to life by using everyone effectively. While Loya is an engaging player, equal credit should be given to the numerous percussionists and horn master Sal Cracchiolo, whose few solos bring to mind the great Arturo Sandoval. ~ Jonathan Widran, Rovi
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