Roy Hargrove's Crisol - Habana (1997) (HQ Repost)

True, this album is a somewhat subdued recorded debut; as heard at the Playboy Jazz Festival in June 1997, Crisol is obviously capable of real thermal combustion. But one can still hear the embryo of its complex fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythm, bop and progressive jazz impulses on this disc. Hargrove himself still seems dazzled by his new discovery, groping a bit for direction in his own solos. But challenged by the asymmetrical rhythms, he takes more chances and jaggedly strikes some fire. Irakere's Chucho Valdes, an awesome pianist and progressive-minded musician, is one of the anchors of the band, and Russell Malone contributes some of his meatiest, most driven guitar work. The tune that remains most indelibly in the memory is trombonist Frank Lacy's "O My Seh Yeh," which opens and closes the CD in neat, bookended fashion. But the most promising track is a smoking arrangement of Kenny Dorham's "Afrodisia," where the heat of this crosscultural exchange rises well above room temperature. One can only hope that U.S. and Cuban politicos will forego their usual roadblocks and allow these meetings to continue. - AMG

Tracks:
1. O My Seh Yeh (Frank Lacy) 9:59
2. Una Mas (Kenny Dorham) 8:06
3. Dream Traveler (Roy Hargrove) 5:23
4. Nusia's Poem (Gary Bartz) 6:20
5. Mr. Bruce (Chucho Valdez) 5:30
6. Ballad for the Children (Roy Hargrove) 4:52
7. The Mountaings (Roy Hargrove) 8:07
8. Afrodisia (Kenny Dorham) 4:46
9. Mambo for Roy (Chucho Valdez) 11:01
10. O My Seh Yeh (reprise) (Frank Lacy) 6:23

Musicians:
Roy Hargrove (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
Chucho Valdes (Piano)
David Sanchez (Tenor and Soprano Saxes)
Frank Lacy (Trombone)
Horacio Hernandez (Drums)
Jose Luis Quintana (Timbales)
Miguel Diaz (Congas)
John Benitez (Double Bass)
Gary Bartz (Alto and Soprano Saxes)
Russell Malone (Guitar)

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