Funky Cha

• Artist: Harvie S
• Rating:
• Release Date: April 11, 2006
• Genre: Jazz

Review

Listening to the veteran New York composer/bassist's fourth project since 1999 is like taking a frenetic joyride through a realm where classic Latin music forms blend furiously with the best of America's jazz traditions. Harvie S has been at this a long time; in 1966, he traveled to Cuba to study with some of the island's master players. Since then, he's masterfully blended the two forms, working with great bandleaders like Juan-Carlos Formell, Stan Getz, Paquito d'Rivera, and Arturo O'Farrill, among others. The one major thing he's learned: both forms have the same African rhythmic roots. But why read a dull history book when you've got the bassist and his wild but subtle-when-they-have-to-be quintet providing such vibrant illustrations of the connection? They launch the disc with a hard-driving, heavily percussive jam on Thelonious Monk's "Rhythm-a-Ning" and the rolling, pitter-patter grooving original "C7 Heaven" (featuring Daniel Kelly's vibrant piano ensembling beautifully with Jay Collins' sax), then ease coolly into the date's most memorable -- if least chops-heavy -- number, the original piece "Mariposa en Mano," a sensuous slow-dance number dedicated to S's wife; S had recorded it as a bossa nova on an earlier album but his mixed vibe of son montuno and charanga is more than just a little intoxicating. From then on, he works a spirited balancing act between crazy-makers like the well-titled "Earquake" and the subtler, harmonically rich "A Bright Moment" and a hypnotic, classically influenced cover of Cole Porter's "What Is This Thing Called Love." ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Rhythm-A-Ning	Thelonious Monk	Harvie S	(5:24)
C7 Heaven	Harvie S	Harvie S	(6:22)
Mariposa en Mano	Harvie S	Harvie S	(4:34)
Earquake	Daniel Kelly	Harvie S	(5:29)
"S"	Harvie S	Harvie S	(6:35)
Funky Cha	Harvie S	Harvie S	(4:38)
A Bright Moment	Harvie S	Harvie S	(5:41)
What Is This Thing Called Love	Cole Porter	Harvie S	(9:06)
Coco Loco	Harvie S	Harvie S	(3:42)

Credits

Joachim Becker (Executive Producer), Jay Collins (Flute), Jay Collins (Sax (Soprano)), Jay Collins (Sax (Tenor)), Ken Franckling (Liner Notes), Scott Robert Avidon (Sax (Tenor)), Wilson "Chembo" Corniel (Conga), Wilson "Chembo" Corniel (Latin Percussion), Ernie Colon (Clavinet), Ernie Colon (Guiro), Daniel Kelly (Piano), Sal Mormando (Engineer), Steve Vavagiakis (Mastering), Philip Dizack (Trumpet)