Having just finished reviewing the new release from a brass-laden 12-piece San Francisco salsa group called Orquesta Borinquen, I decided to evaluate Hot House’s “Cuban Tribute to Charlie Parker” as this New York Latin jazz group led by trumpeter Steve Gluzband is primarily a quintet with various guests. Hot House’s musical setting may be a bit leaner than that of an overstuffed large orchestra, but they have all the essential elements for an artful approach to Cuban jazz. From Boston, Gluzband’s family emigrated from Europe by way of Havana Vieja. With a mix of young and veteran musicians, Cuban émigrés and first- or second-generation Americans, Hot House gives us plenty to embrace in its creative collaboration. Nicole Shulman’s cover art is also quite innovative, but not without some irony too. Why is a saxophonist featured if the band doesn’t include one?  Steve says, “That’s Bird, baby!” Gluzband’s self-penned danzon entitled “N’est-ce pas?” is mot juste as a compelling danceable melody with lilting twin trumpet lines. The Charlie Parker covers include Red Cross, Quasimodo, and Little Suede Shoes. They’re well-rehearsed, flowing and expertly produced. Gluzband’s trumpet (and less frequent cornet) are the cornerstone of their clarion sound, while Art Bailey’s piano, Itai Kriss’ flute, and Pablo Moya’s tres are occasionally featured to a lesser degree. The longest cut (at 7:30 minutes), “A Night in Tunisia” provides all a chance to solo, including Jorge Bringas on bass. One beguiling cut that takes some getting used to is the closer, “I Love Paris,” that superimposes Gabriel ‘Chinchilita’ Machado’s percussion into an arrangement we much more often hear with standard jazz clichés. With additional listens, you’ll realize that the fusion of Cuban rhythms atop a classic jazz standard results in radiant originality that has you exclaiming, “Don’t stop the party!” The cut also includes a triple-tracked trio of Bata drums by Roman Diaz, one of the foremost experts on the 6/8 hour glass Bata drums routine. While Hot House occasionally sounds like they may be playing it too safe, there are also frequent snappy bursts that tell us that Steve Gluzband and Co. are eclectic adventurists too. (Joe Ross, 29 Palms, CA)
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I bought this as a gift for someone for Christmas and they were more than please since then we recommended it to numerous people. VERY PLEASANTLY SURPRISED! Also, it gives me a great opportunity to practice all styles of latin dance...
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