CAL TJADER- "SENTIMENTAL MOODS"
luis de quesada | jamaica, new york United States | 05/22/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Originally released by Fantasy as "Latin For Lovers", "Sentimental Moods", packs a punch for all "bolero" lovers. In this album Tjader completely masters the bolero style accompanied by a brilliant string ensemble, very reminiscent of those used by Vicentico Valdes, Roberto Ledesma, Gilberto Monroig, Chucho Avellanet and other top latin american boleristas. Added to this CD are bonus tracks from another Tjader Fantasy album entitled "San Francisco Moods". Tjader definitely created a highly "romantic mood" and more of these bolero sessions should have been recorded by Fantasy. Great arrangements and performances by Jack Weeks, Mongo Santamaria, Willie Bobo, Paul Horn, Al McKibbon,Vince Guaraldi and the brilliant Albert White Strings Ensemble."
Cool, but pot down the violins
T. Fauls | Boston | 05/13/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As a working backdrop, Tjader's less hard-driving work (down tempo and less brass) is hard to beat. This is pure San Francisco cool 60's that lets you feel the vibe as inspiration.
But I've love to see this collection re-edited to delete the overdubbed, syrupy violins. It would also help if they'd re-order the tunes so you don't have identical beats and rhythms back to back.
"