Valera, Manuel & Groove Square: Urban Landscape

Cuban native Manuel Valera moved to New York City fifteen years ago. He has taken the urban experience and created an homage to the city he loves. On the album Valera has preferred to go the electronic route playing Rhodes, Minimoog, Prophet 08 and Hammond organ. He is joined by John Ellis (tenor saxophone, bass clarinet), Nir Felder (guitar), John Benitez (bass), E.J. Strickland (drums on tracks 1,3,4,6,7,8,9), Jeff Watts (drums on tracks 2,5,10), Gregoire Maret (harmonica on tracks 3,6), Paulo Stagnaro (percussion on track 4) and Maurico Herrera (percussion on track 5).

Urban Landscape is another excellent jazz album with killer grooves and outstanding playing. I haven't heard jazz this funky in a long time and as I sat listening I was hard pressed to sit still, the music has so much energy. The first couple of tracks are a case in point. "121st Street" begins with a sublime guitar and bass clarinet intro before melodic sax and floating Rhodes gives way to an incredibly funky bass line. In "Coming Down" the Rhodes percolates through a soundscape rich in clarinet and complex drum work with another deep bass groove to sink your teeth into. The keyboard solo from Valera is absolutely jaw dropping. Slowing down the pace is the ballad "Gliding" proving this band is far from one dimensional. It's a lovely song as all the musicians handle it with a gentle touch. The sax and clarinet weave some beautiful tapestries here. Hell, the Rhodes and guitar solos are pretty tasty as well.

That is just a little taste of what you will discover as there is over seventy minutes of music to delve into. Great playing, great solos and great grooves. If you are fan of jazz what more do you want?

Released on Destiny Records.

Track Listing:
1. 121st Street (7:22)
2. Coming Down (7:10)
3. Gliding (6:12)
4. All Around You (6:58)
5. Geometrico (7:36)
6. Five Reasons (8:27)
7. Never Absent (8:17)
8. As I Listen (6:10)
9. Little By Little (6:15)
10. New Ways (8:50)

Added: December 10th 2015
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 1416
Language: english

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