Trumpeter Michael Simon breathes fresh Latin bebop through his horn. Michael composed the new music with two tracks written by his older brother, pianist Edward Simon. There is no shortage of talent with Miguel Zen�n (sax), Andy Gonzalez (b), Roberto Quintero (congas, perc) and brother, Marlon (d) in the band. They captured our interest from the start on "Mi Amigo El Machista" and never let go. The blending of percussion, piano and brass is balanced and engaging. Varied tempos and syncopated beats with fresh music make this one of the best Latin jazz albums of the year. We are making that statement in May!
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Venezuelan trumpeter Michael Simon joins the talent-spotting jazz label’s roster with a fine Latin jazz release that blends rhythmic subtlety, sharp harmony and full-blooded arrangement.

The balance between stand-out ensembles and freely breathing rhythm is just right, and his writing adds lustre to the strong solos of the leader and saxophonists Miguel Zenón and Peter Brainin.

Simon’s older brothers, pianist Edward and drummer Marlon, sit in a glistening rhythm section that glides from pre-arranged complexity to deft swing with a tightness and strength pulse that implies this recording was more labour of love than chance meeting.
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New York Encounter displays a broad swatch of Simon’s musical abilities, bringing together all the influences of his community connections. The different pieces of this puzzle are most apparent in Simon’s compositions, which reflect a broad artistic viewpoint. Simon weaves together various musical elements including Afro-Cuban and Afro-Venezuelan styles, odd time signatures and free improvisation, as well as straight-ahead swing and extended improvisations. The seamless integration of these pieces reflect a mature musical mind with a wealth of experience. The inclusion of Simon’s brothers - pianist Edward and drummer Marlon - creates a comfortable environment that resonates with endless possibilities. There’s a sympathetic interaction in the group’s performance that only arises from a lifetime’s worth of shared musical experiences. The addition of some of New York’s best musicians inject the recording with an authentic jazz edge and an inspired sound. Bassist Andy Gonzalez and Kozlov, saxophonists Zenón and Brainin, as well as percussionist Quintero all represent a piece of New York’s long connection to Latin Jazz, a direction that bursts through the album with resounding clarity. The potent brew resulting from Simon’s connection to these various communities flows through New York Encounter  with a unified strength, giving us an idea of the powerful contribution that Simon’s music can give back to Latin Jazz communities around the world.
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