Search - Pete Escovedo :: Mister E

Astounding Percussion !!

B. Johnson | Reno, NV | 08/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Artist Name : Pete Escovedo

CD Title : Mister E

Record Label : Concord Jazz

Genre : Instrumental Latin Jazz with Vocals



Pete Escovedo is known for being the elder statesman of the Escovedo clan (Wife Juanita, Children Sheila, Juan, Peter Michael, & Zina). Musically, he's known as the leader of bands that perform powerful and artful fusion of Latin jazz, salsa and funk that has kept him at the top of the Latin music scene for over 30 years.

I previously owned the standard CD 'Mister E', which was Grammy nominated for Best Tropical Latin Performance. The SACD recording opens everything up with precise, polished, finely crafted arrangements - the percussion, which was impressive on the standard CD, is astoundingly potent here.

Another notable difference on the SACD, the Orchestra/Big Band of over a dozen musicians, has real presence and commands your attention.

The Acoustic Piano/Keyboard/Synth work of Rebeca Mauleón (Angelic Vocals as well) and Dan Shea sounds melodic and but feels percussive.

David Yamasaki's Electric Guitar virtually sizzles on his solos and, on the title track, during the 'Call and Response' with David Belove's Funky Electric Bass, literally bounces.

Acoustic Drum work by Ed Smith & Paul Van Wageningen even comes through the impressive percussion, keeping the Clean, Vibrant Latin Rhythms rolling. Listen for Robbie Kwock & Mike Galisatus playing Clean, Punchy Saxophone and Flugelhorn. Jeff Cressman & Wayne Wallace Trombone solos on 'Tasajara' have a 'You are there' presence, like they are right in your listening room. There are also the powerfully full, but mellow vocals of Vicki Randle.

All this with a plethora of driving Latin percussion (Sheila E., John Santos, Peter Michael & Juan Escovedo) that seems to jump right out of your speakers to the point that you feel you should be able to touch them! Even the Synth Handclaps are Cool & Clean.

Original CD Release: (December 1987 - Jan. 1988). SACD Release : October 21, 2003. This is a Hybrid SACD (MultiChannel DSD), Playable on any Standard CD Player, but a Super Audio CD Player & Multichannel system will reveal the Full SACD 5.1 Surround Mix.

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