BOBBY VALENTIN — Evolution (review)

Album · 2007 · Afro-Cuban Jazz

4.5/5 · 2011-03-19
Matt

Bobby Valentin a native from Puerto Rico was originally a trumpet player when he first started professionally back in the late 1950's but one night in 1969 the bass player did not show up. Bobby found a replacement on trumpet and grabbed a hold of that bass and has never let go since becoming one of the premier musicians on this instrument throughout the Latin world. Arranging is another trade that Bobby carries out and actually did quite a lot for The Fania All Stars as well as putting his own albums out with the label but in 1975 called it a day with them and started his own label Bronco based in Puetro Rico. Salsa is Bobby's main staple with the addition of improvision and he has become one of the greats after all he released the hit "Soy Boricua" in 1972 which has become Puerto Rico's unofficial anthem as well as his most popular album. Around thirty albums is the total that Bobby has released up to his latest "Evolution" which is on the Bronco label and is a Dual disc with the album on one side with some clips on the other containing four songs from the album on this high quality audio format disc which has dts surrond sound giving the album a great high clear volume level and also superb separation but do not fear the music is good and the format only makes it better with the clarity.The band has one of his old stalwarts with Jose Lugo on piano, who has been in a few of Bobby's albums over the years but also there are there are another 14 members with two trumpets and also two alto saxophones, trombone, conga, timbal, bongo, piano ,guitar with the violin only making an appearance on one track . Special guests are five in total and all special but Ray De La Paz stands out after all the years that he sang for Louie Ramirez. Giselle is another who is better known for her Merengue albums with also Bernie Williams on guitar and not a baseball bat for this album as he did have a very good professional baseball career as well as music. Luis Marin is also here on piano and he has his own jazz band these days but was with The Fania All Stars and Paoli Mejas is appearing on conga and he is considered a master these days and of course has his own Jazz Quintet.

Bobby's bass grumble is what you first hear with "Clotilde" with Julio Lopez singing lead with great montuno being used within the tune and Marianne Morales makes an appearance on violin darting in and out of the montuno with the coros and horns. "El Cucu" which follows is has one of those catchy chorus's that will have you singing along and superb trumpet is the solo on this rendition of the old Bobby Capo song. "Que Mi Digan Feo" is latin as it comes with the guitarro introduction and the chorus just keeps that joyous latin feel throughout and Bobby's bass just keeps that gloroius thump coming underneath with some great horn play throughout then the vocalists discussing things in the middle and the tune just only improves.The first six tracks have Julio Lopez and Kriptony Texiera who are the regular lead vocalists for Bobby currently and for the last six tracks the guests are doing lead vocals for three and on "A Que Se Debe" it is that old salsa master Ray De La Paz who still is one of the best going around today and he also follows up on the next "Tu Pueblos Es Mi Pueblo" and one of those chorus's is back with Ray sounding like he has all day and so relaxed but he still is quick and spot on with his delivery and he can really hit those notes right above the coros and it is the montuno where we get the horns with percussion kicking in taking the song up to another level.Two Bobby Valentin compositions and both are Jazz but in a seventies groove with "Four Plus Two" being the first of them and Bobby is wonderful on the bass and whoever mixed this album did a wonderful job which is apparent on this keyboard, guitar groover. Giselle is doing lead vocal on "Si-Si No-No" and with that title representing the song she is perfect for giving the tune a real rolling effect throughout the verse with electric guitar providing the solo for this one. Two to go and "Piel Canela" which is another Booby Capo tune and Bobby's last composition called "No Name" which is Jazz with a Brazillian influence and a drum kit is used and not latin percussion.

Great album with a great mix. Bobby Valentin is one of the greats in modern Latin Jazz and Salsa and always keeps to his roots but delivered in a contempary fashion with superb musicianship. I have never heard a bad one from Bobby and here we have another album that is outstanding in all departments.