Victor Feldman Latinsville CD

Vibraphonist Victor Feldman's 1959 recording Latinsville found the British expatriate exploring various Latin rhythms in a decidedly West Coast style. Featuring an all-star group that included such cool school luminaries as trumpeter Conte Candoli and Frank Rosolino, Feldman also brought in Latin music pros including percussionists Willie Bobo and Mongo Santamaria, bassist Tony Reyes, and others. Selecting such popular songs of the day as "South of the Border," "Poinciana" and "Lady of Spain" -- most of which never originally specified a Latin-style treatment -- Feldman made explicit each songs implied Latin idiom. Although artists such as vibist Cal Tjader and Dizzy Gillespie had been producing Afro-Cuban and Brazilian inflected jazz for a few years, the cross-pollination didn't really catch on until the '60s. Consequently, Latinsville, while in no way as influential as say, Getz/Gilberto, is nonetheless a forgotten gem. ~ Matt Collar

Vibraphonist Victor Feldman's 1959 recording, Latinsville, found the British expatriate exploring various Latin rhythms in a decidedly West Coast style. Featuring an all-star group that included such cool school luminaries as trumpeter Conte Candoli and Frank Rosolino, Feldman also brought in Latin music pros, including percussionists Willie Bobo and Mongo Santamaria, bassist Tony Reyes, and others. Selecting such popular songs of the day as "South of the Border," "Poinciana," and "Lady of Spain" -- most of which never originally specified a Latin-style treatment -- Feldman made explicit each song's implied Latin idiom. Although artists such as vibraphonist Cal Tjader and Dizzy Gillespie had been producing Afro-Cuban and Brazilian-inflected jazz for a few years, the cross pollination didn't really catch on until the '60s. Consequently, Latinsville, while in no way as influential as, say, Getz/Gilberto, is nonetheless a forgotten gem. [The 2003 Fantasy Jazz reissue of Latinsville includes five bonus tracks from the original sessions, two of which feature legendary bassist Scott LaFaro.] ~ Matt Collar

liner notes by Leonard Feather.

Live Recording

Recorded at Contemporary Studios, Los Angels, California in 1958-59. Includes

Personnel: Victor Feldman (piano, vibraphone); Walter Benton (tenor saxophone); Conte Candoli (trumpet); Frank Rosolino (trombone); Andy Thomas, Vince Guaraldi (piano); Nick Martinis, Stan Levey (drums); Ramon Rivera, Mongo Santamarķa (congas); Armando Peraza (bongos); Frank Guerrero, Willie Bobo (timbales).

Audio Remasterer: Kirk Felton.

Liner Note Authors: Leonard Feather; Stuart Kremsky.

Recording information: Contemporary's Studio, Los Angeles, CA (03/02/1959-05/04/1959).

Personnel: Victor Feldman (vibraphone, piano); Walter Benton (tenor saxophone); Conte Candoli (trumpet); Frank Rosolino (trombone); Vince Guaraldi, Andy Thomas (piano); Al McKibbon, Tony Reyes, Scott LaFaro (bass); Nick Martinis, Stan Levey (drums); Frank Guerrero, Willie Bobo (timbales); Armando Peraza (bongos); Ramon Rivera, Mongo Santamaria (congas)