Tony Martinez - La Habana Vive (1998)

Tracklist

01. Noticias De Cuba
02. Porque Soy Rumbero
03. De La Habana A Bahia
04. Tony's Cha Cha Cha
05. Coltrane My Giant
06. Funk
07. Reconciliacion II
08. A Elegba
09. La Habana Vive

A brilliant if little-known improviser, Tony Martinez on alto recalls Richie Cole's tone a bit, while on tenor he looks more toward Michael Brecker. His solos fall between advanced hard bop and Afro-Cuban jazz. On this release, he wrote all nine pieces, including tributes to Emiliano Salvador and John Coltrane ("Coltrane My Giant," which is a Latinized "Giant Steps"). Martinez' "Cuban Latin Jazz" group is a septet with both Julio Padron and Mathieu Michel on trumpet. There are also many guests on this CD, including five background vocalists, several percussionists, and pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba. Rubalcaba's presence does not stop Martinez from featuring his own piano on "Tony's Cha Cha Cha," one of the set's highpoints. Highly recommended.