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Tute
by Martina & Company
– Reviewed by Chris Mann
He
developed his writing and arranging talents with Solobanda, producing a
demo with them. In 1987 he
founded the Daniel Martina Quartet playing jazz standards but using
guitar synthesizer – with them he recorded his second demo. Since
1996, he has led the band Martina & Company, which has combined
traditional Argentinian music with modern jazz sounds. With that band he
has recorded his first solo album “Tute” – which despite its
up-to-the-minute sound, gets its title from a very traditional and
cerebral card game. The
title track is not any typical Latin track and has a slightly offbeat
rhythm. I liked the
percussion and keyboard sounds on this mid-paced song.
The clean and very jazzy tones of Martina’s electric guitar
have no trouble taking centre stage, even among the other talented and
tasteful players here. There’s
a sexy Latin sway to Bimjo.
The nylon strung acoustic guitar sounds gorgeous.
The tone is very jazzy. Listening
to this places me on the balcony of a funky wooden beach house which I
can imagine but which I’ve not visited – yet. Martina
is back on electric guitar for Zamba del Laurel
but the female vocal in Spanish from Sandra Corizzo is the star
here. This is a simple,
unadorned sound, almost traditional. Oh,
there’s a much more modern, funky sound on Flora
Stomp. There are shades of Lee Ritenour (who Martina acknowledges as
one of the masters...). I
really like how this song moves, with pleasing chord changes and shifts
in rhythmic emphasis for the choruses.
By the way, this guy is a jazz player. More
sexy Latin sway on the pretty Si…
and more female vocals too. It’s
a slow song with a sweet string sound, very traditional percussion and
that warm acoustic guitar. Avutruca
brings in another slightly offbeat rhythm but the smooth soprano sax of
Emilio Maciel (sounding like Jay Beckenstein) and Martina’s melodic
electric guitar bring it all together.
The subtlety of the keyboard and rhythm guitar make this song a
delight for me. It’s hard
to imaging producing a track as complete – and as subtle – as this
one. Lovely! The
ballad Hechizo Especial is another
accomplished production and despite the drums sounding synthesized,
Martina’s made the technology work for him and he’s a master of
light and shade. I have to
keep reminding myself that this is his first solo CD. Yes, yes, I’m always going on about bass players – well
Gustavo Luciani is the dictionary definition: his sound is clean, full
and it holds everything down well.
He’s got nice moves and true class. Blues
de la Gabyota
starts off like Sanborn’s “Bang Bang” but it’s not nearly so
riotous. Another of Martina’s influences is Larry Carlton and this
smooth bluesy number could easily have been on a Carlton album.
By now, you might have noticed that in my reviews I pick out
tracks which would work well live – look no further! Another
offbeat rhythm arrangement is featured on Canción
para Valdés Alva. The
melody is also a little offbeat. I
found the song hard to stay with. There
are strong commercial possibilities for Geriba.
As a single this would make some waves.
That chunky bass and drum track makes the perfect backdrop for
lovely acoustic guitar soloing. The
vocal harmonies on here are exotic and all the better for being in
Spanish. Had to turn this
up – this is the standout track.
More, more, more! The
instrumental version of Si… is
sexier than the vocal somehow. It’s
a bigger sound with just enough percussion.
The electric guitar takes the lead and floats beautifully over
the tight rhythm. The
backing vocals are cool and the way this song builds points to major
songwriting and producing talent. Radio
DJ’s need to get behind this music. The
closer Aires de Chapelco is a warm,
mellow solo acoustic number. I’m
amazed that an artist I never heard before on a small regional record
label has delivered a self-assured, very involving CD like this as his
first solo effort. It’s
such a pleasure to be asked to review such good music and even to be in
a position to increase its audience.
If there is any way you can hear this CD, please listen to every
song. Daniel Martina is
going to be a big name in smooth jazz – you heard it here! :e(m)r
MPR25 – producer Daniel Martina The
CD can be obtained from the following websites: www.cdstreet.com/artists/danielmartina www.blizzardrecords.com/bands/603/
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