Wayne Wallace - Infinity '2008

Tracks list

Tracks

01. Infinity 
02. Songo Colorado 
03. As Cores Da Menina 
04. Love Walked In 
05. Memories Of You 
06. Tba 
07. Close Your Eyes 
08. Cha-Cha De Alegria 
09. Straight Life / Mr. Clean

Personnel

Quintet:
Wayne Wallace - arranger, tenor & alto trombones, Wagner tuba, melodica, vocals;
David Belove - bass;
Murray Low - piano & keyboards;
Michael Spiro - congas, batá, güiro, requinto, timbales, chekeré,
cuica, percussion arrangements;
Paul van Wageningen - trap drums.
Guests:
Roger Glenn - flute & vibraphone;
Jackie Ryan - vocals (#4,7);
Orlando Torriente - lead vocals (#2);
Karen Aczon, David Chaidez, Alexa Weber Morales, Jody Noble, Sakai, Ron
Stallings, Sheryl Lynn Thomas - coro.


Trombonist Wayne Wallace gathers strength in numbers through his previous
large-ensemble jazz and Latin projects, tapping on local West Coast resources to
expand the language of his instrument and the music he favors. For this
recording he effectively harmonizes with himself by utilizing double- and
triple-tracking for the same end result, making his tenor and alto trombone or
Wagner tuba sound like a full brass section on several selections. He employs
the elegant and skilled vocalist Jackie Ryan on two tracks and a vocal choir for
another two, and faithfully stays within the Afro-Caribbean tradition of music
mined by Papo Vazquez, Steve Turre, and Chris Washburn. Wallace has picked a
wonderful rhythm section that perfectly exemplifies ideal teamwork, with
percussionist Michael Spiro, bassist David Belove, drummer Paul Van Wageningen,
and especially the exceptional pianist Murray Low to shape these original tunes
and standards beautifully, within the framework of classic Cuban rhythms. The
title track is a gem, a cool song featuring sharp accents and percussion inserts
in a montuno/descarga sauce. The tumba-tumbao swing Songo Colorado features the
lead vocal of Orlando Torriente with a chorus of singers, joyous and alive -- a
tune that makes you wanna holler yeah! Dedicated to brothers Jerry and Andy
Gonzalez, TBA starts with a single trombone that is multiplied by overdubbing,
and displays the most refined piano playing from Low. Latin superstar flutist
Roger Glenn makes a cameo appearance during the outstanding Cha-Cha de Alegria,
elevating the ensembles cachet as he also overdubs a vibraphone track in danzon
style. The cuts with Ryans dusky vocal component are no less compelling as she
jumps into the fray scatting on the clave jazz take of Love Walked In, and
exploits her alluring feminine charms for the purely romantic Close Your Eyes.
Ryan is a keeper, and one to always pay attention to when speaking of great
contemporary jazz singers. Wallace is also mindful of early jazz tradition
during his bolero ballad rendition of the vintage chestnut Memories of You,
utilizing his single languid trombone. He also pulls out a melodica to play
Jovino Santos Netos As Cores da Menina, a samba tune that adds more contrast.
Even reverting to well-done commercial funk, he combines Freddie Hubbards
Straight Life and Weldon Irvines Mr. Clean with Low on electric piano in a
contemporary approach that is far from foreign or compromising. With a handful
of recordings in the Wallace discography and confidence growing on every one,
Infinity is solid top to bottom. Its close to his best effort so far, with still
more to come in what promises to be a long and satisfying career for Wayne
Wallace, who has to be deemed a top-drawer jazz and Latin trombonist in the
2000s and beyond.

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