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Hector Martignon: Second Chance
ByIn the late' 90s, the pianist recorded with percussionist Ray Barretto's band, and a score he wrote for one of those occasions is renewed here, giving "Guaji-Rita" a second wind, its slow burning arrangement making it one of the set's major highlights. Other delicious pieces given new twists are "She Said She Was From Sarajewo," and "Coqueteos," both taken from Martignon's second solo album, Foreign Affair (Candid 2000)the latter an especially spicy number from the Colombian highlands that features saxophonist Xavier Perez and fellow countryman Edmar Castaneda, on Columbian harp. Martignon is exceptionally pronounced here, demonstrating his more than ample chops and why he's a Grammy-nominated artist. For this recording the pianist is ably accompanied by his core Foreign Affair quintet which, aside from Perez, also includes bassist Armando Gola, drummer Ludwig Afonso and percussionist Samuel Torres.
The music is further enlivened by the addition of vibraphonist Tim Collins, guitarist Vinny Valentino and trumpeter/flugelhornist John Walsh. The lively, bouncy opener, "Bala Con Bala," features solos from most of the bandincluding guests Collins, Valentino and Walshon the most instrumentally challenging piece of the set.
As a child, Martignon was so taken by the 1962 movie Hatari! that he watched it six times. Seduced by Henry Manicini's sensual score, the pianist gives the movie's theme a second reading, with a light and beautiful rendition that also features some tasteful percussion accompaniment.
The are many sparks on this album. Written as a ballad, the closing up-tempo standard "Alone Together" finds the pianist running his fingers along the keys and ending on a brash Cuban montuno and syncopated piano vamp, also allowing Torres to shine at the song's end.
Spectacular, wonderful and shoulder-moving are all words that don't seem adequate in describing Second Chance,; this is clearly an exceptional session of Latin and Brazilian shaded jazz, sure to demand far more than a second spin.
Track Listing
Bala Con Bala; Second Chance; Coqueteos; Guaji-Rita; Andrea; She Said She Was From Sarajewo; Abre Los Ojos; Hatari; A Long Farewell; Alone Together.
Personnel
Hector Martignon
pianoHector Martignon: piano, accordion (7); Armando Gola: bass; Ludwig Afonso: drums; Samuel Torres: percussion; Xavier Perez: saxophones; Tim Collins: vibraphone (1, 2, 7, 8); Vinny Valentino: guitar (1); Edmar Castaneda: harp (3); John Walsh: trumpet, flugelhorn; Edward Perez:bass.
Album information
Title: Second Chance | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Zoho Music
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