Search - Cal Tjader :: Plugs in

A refreshing glass of Tjader-ade

Greg C. | NY | 06/04/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Seeing as how nobody has reviewed this wonderful album, I felt compelled to put my two cents in. Cal Tjader was a beautiful musician concerned above all with attractive melodies and deep rhythms. He's often dismissed out of hand by many jazz fans, a shame since if they would just put their prejudices aside, they would find that he meant every note he played, no less so than Milt Jackson or Bobby Hutcherson. This album documents a 1969 live performance where Tjader and his band are in perfect synergy with all in attendance. Indeed, the audience occasionally breaks into spontaneous applause in mid-song just because the musicians are in such a sweet groove. The material ranges from Horace Silver's "Nica's Dream" to the Banana Splits theme (no joke!) and everything swings equally. This album has a glow to it that's hard to describe, the rhythms cook nicely while the sound of Tjader's vibes and Al Zulaica's electric piano totally mellow you out. It's infectious and positive and very well-recorded. Highly recommended!"

Hey there cutes, put on your dancin' boots

B. London | Chicago | 03/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As Frankie [Sinatra,like you didn't know!] sang, "Hey there cutes, put on your dancin' boots" and come dance with me, or your Mama if she happens to be home! Cal Tjader does it again, tango,cha cha, mambo, merenge, even that damn macarena, all Latin hip hop stirred to a brothy boil with huge portions of swing jazz. An aside, few know Cal Tjader played piano terrifically, his wife Pat also was no slouch. Cal had a wonderful habit of hiring great pianist like, Vince Guaraldi who became famous later, but scorching swingers like Emanuel Duran, Lonnie Hewitt, Joe Kloess and here the fabulous Al Zulaica. If you can find any records made by these guys-BUY IT! If I could find any recordings I would. A monster of an album."