New York guitarist Nelson Riveros provides a Latin accent on seven of Wes Montgomery's compositions and two originals. Riveros is joined by Hector Martignon (piano), Mark Walker (drums), Andy McKee (bass), and Jonathan Gomez (percussion) for this different twist on Montgomery's music. This project took place after he played a gig that involved performing some of Montgomery's songs. The gig inspired Riveros to reimage Montgomery's music in a Latin American style. Riveros said, "I started to hear all kind of rhythms, bass lines, and melodic variations to some of his tunes. The next day, I started writing arrangements, and this very project began to take shape."
Riveros is an impressive player and does provide an imaginative gloss to the Montgomery compositions. He and pianist Martignon stand out throughout with fresh inventions. The rhythm section on this recording is top-flight. "West Coast Blues" may be the only arrangement that the Latin coating on Montgomery's loping blues doesn't completely jell to these ears, yet his fleet, sophisticated playing still sparkles. "Jingles" is a terrific, briskly paced performance with sterling piano along with Riveros' mix of single notes runs, octaves, and chords. Riveros' original, "Nelson's Groove," is inspired by "Wes' Tune," and he mostly employs octaves during the bridge. His interpretation of "Wes' Tune" has one of his most inspired improvisations, including his use of octaves. Bassist McKee takes a robust solo on this number.
There are standout renditions of Montgomery's "Road Song" and "Four On Six." The album closes with a lovely, relaxed unaccompanied performance of "Leila," played on a nylon-string guitar. It caps an auspicious and outstanding Zoho Music debut for Riveros that also is an excellent tribute to Wes Montgomery.
I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is "Road Song."
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