Monday 8 March 2010

Don Grolnick - Medianoche (1995)

01.Catta (4:08) [Andrew Hill]
02.Rainsville (5:26) [Don Grolnick]
03.Water Babies (7:08) [Wayne Shorter]
04.Medianoche (5:20) [Don Grolnick]
05.Cape Verdean Blues (4:53) [Horace Silver]
06.Heart Of Darkness (6:00) [Don Grolnick]
07.If Ever I Should Leave You (7:20) [Frederick Loewe]
08.Rojo Y Negro (4:54) [Don Grolnick]
09.Oran (5:31) [Chick Corea]
10.Night Song (5:32) [Charles Strouse].



Don Grolnick - piano
Michael Brecker - tenor saxophone
Dave Valentin - flute
Mike Mainieri - vibes
Andy Gonzalez - bass
Don Alias - timbales, percussion
Steve Berrios - bongos, drums, percussion
Milton Cardona - congas, percussion.
Recorded by James Farber at Power Station.

3 comments:

  1. Medianoche finds Don Grolnick in the company of a hybrid Latin and post-bop supergroup of sorts, with Michael Brecker on tenor, Mike Mainieri on vibes, Dave Valentin on flute, Andy Gonzales on bass, and Don Alias, Steve Berrios, and Milton Cardona on percussion. The idea is simple: authentic Latin arrangements of very hip jazz material like Andrew Hill's "Catta," Wayne Shorter's "Water Babies," Horace Silver's "Cape Verdean Blues," and Chick Corea's "Oran." Four strong Grolnick originals also appear, including a Latinized version of the brooding "Heart of Darkness." Quite beautiful, but not as essential as the late pianist's brilliant output on Blue Note. ~ David R. Adler, All Music Guide.

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  2. One of my favourite albums of all time ,and for my money just as noteworthy as any of Grolnick's other work.Mike Brecker dominates,as he does on any album he plays ,even as a sideman...his lines are ,as ever, wonderfully inventive ,harmonically, rhythmically and melodically sophiticated.His technical ability awe inspiring ...hard to believe saxophone only has a natural range of 2.5 octaves.
    Dave Valentin brings his lovely Latin feel,and Grolnick's arrangements so attractive (inspired by Steve Kahn's gift of a Cal Tjader CD).See Steve's great website kahn's korner

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