I
have admired and followed the American contemporary jazz guitarist Ray
Obiedo for years. That started when I got the CD 'Sweet Summer Days' in
1997. Ray spent his youth in the bay area around San Francisco, where the sounds of Miles Davis, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Henry Mancini and also those of Motown Records influenced him. But the biggest influence came from James Brown, on whose funky, percussion-like guitar sound Ray built his technique.
He joined organist Johnny “Hammond” Smith on tour in 1974, then trombonist Julian Priester, and toured the world with Herbie Hancock in 1978-79. He has a long association with percussionist Pete Escovedo, and has also worked with George Duke, Lou Rawls, Grover Washington Jr., Bill Summers, Brenda Russell, The Whispers and most recently Bob Mintzer's Big Band. Ray's songs have been covered by Tower of Power, Sheila E, Marion Meadows, steel pan player Andy Narell, jazz guitarist Bruce Forman and The Pete Escovedo Orchestra. In 1989 he went solo with 'Perfect Crime'.
Now he has released a new album, and it comes with a hint of Latin and contemporary jazz. It is already his 11th release, and he opens with the swinging and cheerful Caribbean song 'Caribe Nuevo', in which Jeff Narell's steel pan catches the ear. On the title track he is assisted by Bob Mintzer (Yellowjackets), who gives a tenor sax solo. With 'Curacao' we go back in that Caribbean direction, on which singer Lilan Kane delivers wordless vocals.
The Brazilian-style 'The First Thing' is graced by the beautiful, wordless vocals of Chloé Jean, after which he returns for the summery, relaxed 'All Day Music'. This is a reworking of a War classic with veteran Pete Escovedo and Pete Michael Escovedo on percussion. On 'Alquezar' you can hear Andy Narell's steel pan, followed by the wonderfully relaxed 'Enotea' with background vocals from Chloé Jean, Lilian Kane, Leah Tysse and Michelle Hawkins.
'Zulaya' picks up the pace a bit on which both Sheila E. and Chloé Jean can be heard vocally. That summery, southern relaxed feeling lingers! 'Lucky Break' closes with a Latin atmosphere. Ray is assisted by instrumentalists such as saxophonist and flautist Norbert Stachel, trombonist Jeff Cressman, keyboardist Peter Horvath and drummer Phil Hawkins. Tower of Power's acclaimed drummer David Garibaldi and bassist Marc van Wageningen add their signature funk grooves. The lineup is completed by Santana keyboardist David K. Mathews and percussionist Karl Perazzo, who bring their signature Latin flair.
Ray once again proves that he is a talented guitarist who, together with his musical guests, knows how to create magical Latin jazz. Highly recommended for those who love those nice, relaxed southern sounds!
Tracks:
1 Caribe Nuevo
2 Twist
3 Curacao
4 The First Thing
5 All Day Music
6 Alquezar
7 Enotea
8 Zulaya
9 Lucky Break