Ken Wiley Cuerno Exotica

Ken Wiley
Cuerno Exotica
Krug Park Music

The French horn, usually heard backing other instruments normally providing texture and color in brass and wind ensembles, has become in the hands of Ken Wiley a solo instrument providing a distinctive solo voice. I was impressed by his previous recording "Jazz Horn Redux," and the varied music on his latest builds upon that. Mark Leggett's acoustic guitar and the flute of Dan Higgins (who also plays tenor sax, clarinet, and piccolo as well as did the arrangements) are the other principal soloists here. There is a rhythm section of Dave Loeb on piano (Wiley also plays the piano, but the selections he plays on is not identified), Dominick Genova on bass, Bernie Dresel on drums, and Luis Conte and Kevin Ricard on percussion that ably provide tasteful, supportive backing.

With the 'Bolero Horns' added, the album opens with a Latin-tinged take on Ravel's celebrated "Bolero," with Wiley's melodious playing set against the easy pulse of the backing. Leggett's acoustic guitar opens up "Carilô," with Higgins' soaring flute also featured on this diverting performance. "Cubano Blue" is an easy going, bluesy performance with a light Afro-Cuban groove with Loeb's clean piano leading to Wiley's evocative solo. Other pleasures here include a breezy take on Cal Tjader's "Black Orchid," and more energetic treatment of McCoy Tyner's modal "Sama Layuca," opening with Higgins on tenor sax set against Loeb's insistent piano with Loeb taking a more energetic solo before Higgins' takes a robust, twisting sax solo. Genova takes a dynamic bass solo before Wiley's dulcet horn provides a counterpoint to Higgins leads the performance to a faded close. The stately "Gato Magico" evokes the bull fighter's ring with the harmonious unison statement of the theme by Wiley and Higgins along with concise, appealing solos.

The album closes with the title track which sports a light, Afro-Cuban groove provided by the rhythm section on a soothing, yet stimulating performance with the charm characteristic of the beautiful music throughout "Cuerno Exotica."

I received a review copy from a publicist. This review appeared in the November-December 2018 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 381), although I may have made minor changes. Here is "Sama Layuca," from this album.