Latin Genesis is a summit meeting of three top-notch saxophonists:
Dave Liebman,
Don Braden, and
Dan Moretti. Together, they put a Latin spin on material from
Elvin Jones' 1971 album
Genesis (which also featured three front-line saxes and was
Liebman's first record date with the great drummer). Electric bassist
Oscar Stagnaro and drummer
Mark Walker provide rhythmic backing, along with guest percussionists
Pernell Saturnino, Jorge Najarro, and Rick Andrade. The four cuts from
Genesis are
Frank Foster's "Cecilia Is Love,"
Elvin Jones' "Three Card Molly," and
Gene Perla's "P.P. Phoenix" and "For All the Other Times."
Liebman's swinging "Brite Piece" is thrown in for good measure, as are stormy covers of Rodgers & Hart's "Have You Met Miss Jones" and
Lee Morgan's "Calling Miss Khadija."
Moretti contributes the mellow flute vehicle "Tiara" and the bass clarinet-colored "Trippin'," while
Braden weighs in with the opening "Vail Jumpers." The interplay between these three heavy-hitters is intense, and thankfully, their solos are carefully distinguished on the track listing for the listener's benefit. A timely update on
Elvin Jones' '70s post-bop aesthetic. (
Jones'
Genesis, by the way, was reissued as a part of an eight-disc box from Mosaic.) ~ David R. Adler