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
standards; it's difficult for
"Perfidia" and
"Besame Mucho" not to sound a little corny, frankly, although
Walton 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." Walton'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,
Latin Tinge fulfills the minor goals it sets for itself. ~ Stewart Mason
