Eddie Palmieri La Perfecta II CD

LA PERFECTA II was nominated for the 2003 Latin Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album.

Innovative Latin jazz pianist Eddie Palmieri returns to the music of his classic '60s ensemble La Perfecta on La Perfecta II. After disbanding La Perfecta in 1968 due to financial difficulties and later the death of trombonist/partner Barry Rogers in 1991, Palmieri vowed to never again perform the music he made famous. However, presented with the diligent transcriptions of La Perfecta's recordings by trombonist Doug Beavers, Palmieri felt the time had come for this music to be heard anew. What a gift. This is classic salsa, charanga, and mambo performed by some of the finest musicians in the Latin and jazz idioms. The music has just as much fire and energy as the originals, but references the best of progressive modern jazz arranging. Beavers even arranged one of Rogers' solos (on "Tirandote Flores") for three trombones. Joining in are many longtime Palmieri collaborators, like trumpeter Brian Lynch and trombonist Conrad Herwig as well as saxophonist Mario Rivera and percussionist John Rodriguez Jr. This is music you can dance to that also features forward-thinking jazz soloing of the highest order. ~ Matt Collar

Recorded at RPM Studios, New York, New York. Includes liner notes by Gabriela Sebastian Palmieri.

Personnel: Eddie Palmieri (piano); Herman Olivera (vocals, maracas); Dave Valentin, Eddie Zervigon (flute); Yosvany Terry Cabrera (alto saxophone, shekere); Mario Rivera (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Ivan Renta (tenor saxophone); Brian Lynch (trumpet); Conrad Herwig, Doug Beavers, Renaldo Jorge (trombone); Dafnis Prieto (drums); George Delgado, Richie Flores (congas); John "Dandy" Rodriguez (bongos, guiro); José "Cochi" Claussell (timbales, percussion).

Audio Mixer: Jon Fausty.

Liner Note Author: Eddie Palmieri.

Recording information: RPM Studios.

Photographers: Dave Valentin; Lisa Stein; Eddie Zervigon.

Arranger: Brian Lynch.

Personnel: Eddie Palmieri (piano); Herman Olivera (vocals); Yosvany Terry Cabrera (alto saxophone); Ivan Renta (tenor saxophone); Mario Rivera (baritone saxophone); Brian Lynch (trumpet); Conrad Herwig, Reynaldo Jorge, Doug Beavers (trombone); Eddy Zervigon, Dave Valentin (flute); Joe Santiago (bass); Dafnis Prieto (drums); Jose Claussell. John Rodriguez, Jr., George Delgado, Pedro E. Rodriguez, Richie Flores (percussion); Ray Viera (background vocals).