Sunday Sleep In ~ “Evocación” ~ Arturo Sandoval.

An absolutely stunning piece written by Papa Molina, beautifully arranged and conducted by his son Jose Antonio Molina and played with precision by the Miami Latin Pops Orchestra and Sandoval.

Seems everything Arturo touches turns to platinum and beyond. The very reason hundreds of his own compositions has gained him so many tv & movie scores. Nominated 19 times for the Grammy awards taking home 10 of them, 1 Emmy, multiple Billboard awards and a 2013 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom award.

From the mid 70’s to the present his discography is endless, a true Cuban masterpiece not only being a highlight of the finest Latin Jazz but the finest of music period.

Evocación takes you into a ecstasy of seduction.

 

Sunday Sleep In ~ “The Island” ~ Sarah Vaughan

Beautiful rendition of Ivan Lin’s & Vitor Martins song Começar de Novo (Starting Over) with english lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman that would become “The Island”.

As with everything “Sassy” sang she did it with pure relentless emotion, her passion came pouring through out of this piece the way seduction and romance was meant to be.

Sunday Sleep In ~ “Soaring Through A Dream” ~ Al Di Meola Project

 

I couldn’t decide which song to play off this album, all so beautiful as the magic from the musicians just flows. Capoeira for another time.

Wednesday When It Was Music ~ “When A Gypsy Makes His Violin Cry” ~ Erroll Garner

What a beautiful piece by Garner.

He originally did this song in 55′ solo but re-recorded it in 72′ with some other gifted players and all gave it that splendid latin flavour.

Like Art Tatum he too learned and played by ear from the early age of three never learning to read music or having the need to.

Monday Mambo ~ “La Luna en Tu Mirada” ~ Ry Cooder & Manuel Galbán

Whew…is it hot in here or is it just me?

Weather report say’s it will be the coldest week in a couple of years. So I didn’t know whether to call this Monday Mambo or Monday Melt…….down.

This song was off the 2003 album “Mambo Sinuendo”. Blues pioneer Cooder hooked up with one of Cuba’s finest guitarists, pianists and arrangers Manuel Galbán and produced a Grammy Award win for Best Pop Instrumental Album.

The song originally done by Los Zafiros a band that Galbán had joined in 63′.

La Luna en Tu Mirada could melt ice 10 feet deep so imagine the capabilities of it in your house with a man or a fantasy. Dancing or whatever. Lets put it this way you won’t need a fireplace or any hot sauce to get the juices flowing. This song lets you escape into any realm you want to let it take you.

So set the heat low and turn up the Mambo. A seductive start to the week.

 

Friday At The Fillmore ~ “Pana” ~ Malo

Richard Bean was responsible for this great ensemble of players first hit, “Suavecito” which came with the 1972 release of their first self entitled band name album.

Malo featured a lot of talents, one of them Carlo Santana’s brother Jorge and a tremendous horn section. And of course with a lot of talents came a lot of clashes thus after it’s release many departed to play with others groups.

But not before this Fillmore West June 29, 1971 concert. It can be found on Welcome To The Fillmore (East / West) Volume 3 (1994).

Their very first album put them #14 on the US top 200 & #10 on US R&B. Their next three albums through 1974 with various players were also in the US top 200.

Sunday Salsa ~ “Bésame Mama” ~ Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band featuring Terence Blanchard

I only wish I could have presented this as done at the Detroit Jazz Fest last weekend. This number smoked them all and was definitely an even better performance of the this song. The blazing trumpets riffing off each other in classic Jazz Style form.

At first I proclaimed that they should have been on the Carhartt Stage but then sitting there in an excellent spot and close enough to see all the members faces I said naw, this is better!

Up close right by the river’s edge. It was a beautiful night. Had just ate some slow’s bar-b-que ribs prior to this show, I was set. LOL