Search - Grant Green :: Latin Bit (Reis)

Mediocre Green

T. Charles | Middle East | 03/05/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"(Review refers to the original CD release)

Grant Green's reputation is founded on his early 60s, laid back albums for Blue Note, on which his clear bell-toned, lyrical guitar playing was featured with a variety of label stablemates, including McCoy Tyner, Larry Young, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Herbie Hancock and Elvin Jones. The most outstanding of these include; 'Idle Moments', 'Grantstand', 'Feeling' The Spirit' and 'Matador'. At the turn of the 70s, the setting had changed to incendiary funk, but he had lost none of his passion.



'The Latin Bit' lacks the specific atmosphere prevalent on the other albums and while he was certainly capable of playing in the Latin idiom, this project sounds as if it was foistered on him by producers and executives keen to take advantage of contemporary listening trends. The result is that he sounds rather muted throughou, and while some may argue that his restrained playing on display is perfectly suited to these tracks, I feel it is lacks the enthusiasm needed to evoke the spirit of Latin jazz. Many of them were previously performed by Charlie Parker on his 'South Of The Border' issue for Verve and are to my mind definitive interpretations. In addition, there are a handful of lacklustre tracks with Ike Quebec, which don't feature the tenorman (who owed more than a passing debt to Coleman Hawkins) at his best and seem to be album filler, if not fodder. Quebec was an underrated musician who died young, but should best be remembered for 'Blue And Sentimental' also on Blue Note.



Basically, the problem is that this album never really comes to life and that would be a sad indictment of Latin jazz."

A Pleasant Diversion

Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 03/19/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I guess belated recognition is better than none at all. Grant Green is one of a multitude of great jazz musicians who is finally getting deserved recognition thanks to the digital age.

Frankly, I had never heard of Green until a couple of years ago when I was reading an article that cited Green as one of the influences of the better-known Wes Montgomery. So I bought a couple of his reissued CDs to check him out. I liked what I had well enough so when I saw The Latin Bit at a favorite Enciniatas record store the other day and scanned the tracklisting, I decided to acquire it as well.

The Latin Bit may well have been issued back in the day as an attempt by Green's record company to capitalize on the sixties Latin music craze but that doesn't mean its not good. Though Green over-plays sometimes, notably on Brazil, there is much to like. I was already familiar with four of the songs, and I like Green's take on all of them, even Brazil. The others are a great rendition of Besame Mucho with its interesting tempo changes, Tico Tico, and Agustin Lara's Granada. I also really enjoy Mambo Inn, which opens this hour-long Latin musical excursion.

While this may not be one of Green's more innovative records, it offers a pleasant diversion from his other fare and is suitable listening both at home and the office. If you like any of the songs I mentioned, ignore the silly cover shot and check this out. You should like it as well."

Unengaging

Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 07/30/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Having struck gold three times in a row with Green sessions, I was probably due to hit a phoned-in date. The playing is competent enough, but that's about as far as it goes. Even the material receives perfunctory treatment, frequently with a rhumba or bossa run-through of the choruses followed by straight-ahead 4/4 on the rides. The mixing, moreover, is flattering neither to the individual soloists nor the ensemble. This sounds like a dance set or society job, or perhaps music intended for the background of a scene in the lounge aboard the Love Boat. The session's shortcomings are all the more conspicuous after "Grantstand," "Idle Moments" and, above all, "I Want to Hold Your Hand" (the real sparkler of the lot)."