DANILO PÉREZ - Motherland (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

When most people hear the term Latin jazz, they think of a mixture of bop and Afro-Cuban rhythms -- bop mixed with son, mambo, cha-cha, guaguanco, danzón, and other Afro-Cuban styles that have been described as salsa. But Latin-flavored jazz doesn't have to be Afro-Cuban jazz; in fact, jazz is compatible with numerous Latin rhythms that didn't originate in Cuba. Technically, Danilo Pérez's Motherland is Latin jazz because it fuses jazz with Latin elements. But it isn't Afro-Cuban jazz, and it isn't the type of Cubop that people associate with Machito, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Cal Tjader, and Poncho Sanchez. Instead, this introspective, chance-taking CD finds Panamanian pianist Danilo
Pérez combining post-bop with a variety of Latin rhythms, everything from Panamanian tamborito to the samba and baião of Brazil. Pérez also uses Afro-Cuban rhythms at times, but it's important to stress that salsa is only one of the many tools in his arsenal. There is no reason why Motherland cannot be described as Latin jazz, after all, it is jazz with a strong Latin flavor. But unlike other releases by Spanish-speaking jazz artists, this excellent CD demonstrates that Latin jazz isn't necessarily Afro-Cuban jazz. by Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1    Intro    0:45
Danilo Perez
2    Suite For The Americas - Part 1    2:55
Danilo Perez
3    Elegant Dance    5:49
Danilo Perez
4    Panafrica    4:47
Danilo Perez
5    Baile    1:57
Danilo Perez
6    Song Of The Land    5:21
Danilo Perez
7    Suite For The Americas - Part 2    5:00
Danilo Perez
8    Prayer    4:37
Danilo Perez
9    Overture    3:48
Danilo Perez
10    Rio To Panama    4:38
Danilo Perez
11    Panama Libre    6:48
Danilo Perez
12    Panama 2000    8:36
Danilo Perez
13    And Then ...    1:02
Danilo Perez
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Carlos Henriquez, John Patitucci
Drums – Antonio Sanchez, Brian Blade
Electric Guitar – Kurt Rosenwinkel
Lead Vocals, Electric Bass – Richard Bona
Percussion, Congas, Tambourine, Maracas, Cajón – Luisito Quintero
Piano, Keyboards – Danilo Perez
Producer – Tommy Lipuma
Soprano Saxophone – Chris Potter
Violin – Regina Carter
Vocals – Claudia Acuña, Luciana Souza

MICHAEL BRECKER QUINDECTET - Wide Angles (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

An early 2002 tour of the U.K. found Michael Brecker playing his old material with a larger band that included some instruments usually falling outside the standard jazz combo (i.e., oboe, French horn). Perhaps a live recording of the genesis of this album would have been preferable since Wide Angles provides such mixed results. For such a large band with so many great players, it all ends up being window-dressing. The recording makes Brecker the center of attention, and despite some truly lyrical playing, there's little interaction between soloist and ensemble. The ten tracks (nine by Brecker with Don Grolnick's "Evening Faces," the exception) are a suite, according to Brecker and arranger Gil Goldstein. When it sticks to the cerebral and introspective, it flows very well. Even if he isn't paying much attention to what's going on behind him, Brecker is at least expressive and as inspired as ever. The standard-issue fusion and funk of "Night Jessamine," where the quindectet are totally superfluous, trips things up and should have been left to a smaller unit. With so much focus on the tenor saxophonist, Brecker fanatics will justifiably go ape. Listeners wanting to hear mainstream bassist John Patitucci, the usually experimental violinist Mark Feldman, or any of the other capable players interacting will find their roles too supportive. by David Jeffries 
Tracklist:
1 Broadband 6:48
Michael Brecker
2 Cool Day In Hell 7:51
Michael Brecker
3 Angles Of Repose 6:42
Michael Brecker
4 Timbuktu 7:58
Michael Brecker
5 Night Jessamine 5:23
Michael Brecker
6 Scylla 10:40
George Whitty / Michael Brecker
7 Brexterity 6:41
Michael Brecker
8 Evening Faces 7:14
Don Grolnick
9 Modus Operandy 5:27
Michael Brecker
10 Never Alone 5:42
Michael Brecker
Credits:
Arranged By – Gil Goldstein (tracks: 3, 6, 8)
Bass – John Patitucci
Bass Clarinet – Iain Dixon
Cello – Erik Friedlander
Clarinet – Iain Dixon
Composed By – Don Grolnick (tracks: 8), George Whitty (tracks: 6), Michael Brecker (tracks: 1 to 7, 9, 10)
Drums – Antonio Sanchez
English Horn – Charles Pillow
Flute – Steve Wilson
French Horn – Peter Gordon
Guitar – Adam Rogers
Oboe – Charles Pillow
Percussion – Daniel Sadownick
Producer, Orchestrated By, Conductor, Arranged By [Additional Arrangement] – Gil Goldstein
Tenor Saxophone, Producer, Arranged By – Michael Brecker
Trombone – Robin Eubanks
Trumpet – Alex "Sasha" Sipiagin
Viola – Lois Martin
Violin – Joyce Hammann, Mark Feldman