A solid but not outstanding
Latin jazz
session led by
hard bop
stalwart
Cedar Walton
, 2002's
Latin Tinge
mixes
standards
with a small handful of originals. Unusually for this time of session, it's the originals that shine, particularly the funky
"Latin America."
Part of the problem is that
Walton
chose a couple of real warhorses among his
; it's difficult for
"Perfidia"
and
"Besame Mucho"
not to sound a little corny, frankly, although
and his small combo don't embarrass themselves. They do better with the
Xavier Cugat
standard
"Brazil"
and a surprisingly peppy take on
Antonio Carlos Jobim
's
samba
classic
"Triste."
's piano is at the forefront of these relatively unadorned settings, taking most of the solos as a pair of Latin percussionists sets up a series of percolating, polyrhythmic grooves. Low-key without being low-energy,
fulfills the minor goals it sets for itself. ~ Stewart Mason