Rebeca Mauleon Round Trip CD

For her debut CD San Francisco based pianist Mauleon has put together a helluva band, with the timbales master Orestes Vilato, trumpeters John Worley and Louis Fasman, trombonist Jeff Cressman, bassist David Belove, drummer Paul VanWageningen, saxophonist Alex Murzyn, and on select tracks the wonderful flute player John Calloway, baritone saxophonist Melecio Magdaluyo, and drummer Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez. Mauleon also plays percussion instruments, but primarily is on acoustic piano for these ten cuts, eight of which she wrote. Her touch is medium light, dramatic when called upon, quite steady and consistent especially in the montuno area, and highly melodic. There are four outstanding original instrumental pieces. The introductory "Songomania" is a very hip, singing horn melody with riveting flute, piano and trombone solos as a prelude for a montuno allowing Vilato to cut loose. "Fresa y Chocolate" is a heavier horn chart with Magdaluyo's bari added, a funkier cha cha and a feature for Fasman's rip it up trumpet. The best of the bunch "Congri" has repetitive horn lines, more of Calloway's determined flute excursions, and a fresh sound that leaps out of the speakers. The title track is a hotter horn chart letting Hernandez and worley fly. All of these are great examples of Mauleon's talent as a writer and bandleader. Of the remainder, a lovely version of "'Round Midnight" with Calloway leading, Murzyn's flute on the flamenco informed "Gitana," guitar by Don Fontowitz, and the nature lover's piano piece "New Dawn" add contrast. Further, there are two quite different vocal cuts, one being a take on the Staple Singers hit "I'll Take You There" with El Negro and lead singer Brenda Boykin, and Boykin leading a chorale in a Afro-Cuban gospel fusion for "At The River," using the line "one foot in Africa, one foot in Cuba, one hand in Brasil, the other in America." This CD show more than promise, it is the beginning of a new star rising on the latin jazz scene, and from all indications, Mauleon has just scratched the surface. Can't wait to hear her next effort. Highly recommended. ~ Michael G. Nastos

top-notch Latin jazz pianist, arranger & composer combines elements of funk, salsa, blues, flamenco & jazz into a remarkable musical stew with strong Afro-Caribbean roots & an openness to styles from around the globe; features master percussionists Orest

Recorded at Spark Studios, Emeryville, California in September 1997. Includes liner notes by Rebeca Mauleon.

Personnel: Rebeca Mauleón (vocals, piano, keyboards, claves, guiro, percussion, palmas); Jesús Diaz (vocals, congas); Orestes Vilató (vocals, bongos, guiro, timbales, percussion, bells); José Manuel "El Grillo" Blanco (vocals, palmas); Claytoven Richardson, Jeanie Tracy, Linda Tillery, Brenda Boykin (vocals); Don Fontowitz (guitar); Anthony Blea (violin); Alex Murzyn (flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); John Calloway (flute); Melecio Magdaluyo (soprano saxophone, baritone saxophone); John L. Worley, Jr., Louis Fasman (trumpet); Jeff Cressman (trombone); Horacio "El Negro" Hernández, Paul VanWageningen (drums).

Audio Mixer: Ben Leinbach.

Recording information: Spark Studios, Emeryville, CA (10/1997).

Illustrator: Jay Boivin.

Photographer: David Belove.

Unknown Contributor Role: Rebeca Mauleón.

Arranger: Rebeca Mauleón.

Personnel: Rebeca Mauleon (vocals, piano, keyboards, chekere, clave, guiro, palmas, percussion); Jesus Diaz (vocals, congas); Orestes Vilato (vocals, timbales, bongos, bell, guiro, percussion); Jose Manuel Blanco (vocals, palmas, cajon); Jeanie Tracy, Linda Tillery, Claytoven Richardson, Brenda Boykin (vocals); Don Fontowitz (guitar); Anthony Blea (violin); Alex Murzyn (flute, alto & tenor saxophones); John Calloway (flute); Melecio Magdaluyo (soprano & baritone saxophones); Louis Fasman, John Worley (trumpet); Jeff Cressman (trombone); Paul Van Wageningen, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez (drums); Monica (palmas, taconeo).

JazzTimes (6/00, p.127) - "...[She] impresses as pianist, composer and arranger....Mauleon's jazz vocabulary is in evidence both as a player and a composer throughout....an album with many fine varying flavors..."