Playboy’s Christmas gift (from 2001) will do much more than simply look good sitting under the tree. Combining lively salsa, smooth jazz and dramatic Afro-Cuban measures into one attractive package makes sense. This should appeal to a broad audience. Arturo Sandoval and Ed Calle work side by side to create charged particles. The ebb and flow of their dance movements makes for a festive evening. Poncho Sanchez and his band provide dramatic interpretations of classic Christmas songs. Sheila E. sings “Santa Baby” the way it was meant to be. Caribbean Jazz Project supplies several smooth jazz arrangements, while Pete Escovedo provides a vocal offering of the classic “Feliz Navidad.”
Like most of us, Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner remembers the development of Latin jazz from Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo to Stan Kenton and Machito, followed by several critical waves in the limelight. Of course, the roots go back much earlier. A century of Latin influence has strengthened jazz in general.
Like the mixture of traditional Afro-Cuban music and lively salsa presented at this year’s Playboy Jazz Festival, the music tends to unify an audience. This Christmas gift serves to remind us of the traditional meaning of the holiday season, while adding lively rhythms that we can enjoy again and again. (by allaboutjazz.com)
A real great album … here you´ll hear very new versions of old christmas songs … and “What Child Is This” is of course another titel for “Greensleeves”
Enjoy this trip to Latin music ….
Alternate front+back cover
Personnel:
Justo Almario-(saxophone)
Tony Banda (bass)
Ramon Banda (timbales)
Richard Bravo (percussion)
Ed Calle (saxophone, synthesizers, programming, flute, piano)
Sal Cracchiolo (trumpet)
Sheila E. (vocals, percussion)
Juan Escovedo (percussion)
Pete Escovedo (vocals, timbales)
Lewis Fasman (trumpet)
Jim Gasior (piano)
Jim Hacker (trumpet)
Steve Khan (guitar)
Jeff Kievit (trumpet)
Jeff Kressman (trombone)
John Kricker (trombone)
Lee Levin (drums)
Murray Low (keyboards)
Melecio Magdaluyo (saxophone)
Scott Martin (saxophone)
Lynn Maybry (vocals)
Ray Obiedo (guitar)
Nicky Orta (bass)
Dafnis Prieto (drums, timbales)
Roberto Quintero (percussion)
Jose “Papo” Rodriguez (percussion)
Ruben Rodriguez (bass)
Poncho Sanchez (percussion)
Dave Samuels (vibraphone)
Arturo Sandoval (trumpet)
Dana Teboe (trombone)
David Torres (piano)
Francisco Torres (trombone)
Dave Valentin (flute)
Mark Van Wageningen (bass)
Paul Van Wageningen (drums)
Wayne Wallace (trombone)
Dan Warner (guitar)
Tracklist:
01. Ed Calle, Arturo Sandoval & Jim Gasior: Jingle Bells (Traditional) 6.57
02. Caribbean Jazz Project: Sleigh Ride (Anderson(Parrish) 4.53
03. Poncho Sanchez: What Child Is This (Traditional) 5.20
04. Ed Calle & Arturo Sandoval: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (Gillespie/Coots) 5.49
05. Sheila E.: Santa Baby (Javits/P.Springer/F.Springer) 4.08
06. Caribbean Jazz Project: Angels We Have Heard On High (Traditional) 4.51
07. Ed Calle & Dan Warner: White Christmas (Berlin) 5.12
08. Caribbean Jazz Project: Silent Night (Gruber) 5.59
09. Poncho Sanchez: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Martin/Blane) 4.46
10. Ed Calle & Justo Almario: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Traditional) 5.16
11. Pete Escovedo & Ray Obiedo: Feliz Navidad (Feliciano) 3.43
ManyFantasticColors 