Parting Shot (Tone Center TC40702, 2011)
Jazz guitarist Steve Khan has always had great interest in Latin jazz and he finally decided to record his first Latin jazz album, titled Parting Shot (Punto de Partida). To carry out the project, Khan invited old friends and collaborators. The line-up includes some of the finest musicians in the Latin jazz and contemporary jazz scene: Anthony Jackson (Contrabass Guitar), Dennis Chambers (Drums), Manolo Badrena (Percussion & Voice), Marc Quiñones (timbal), Bobby Allende (conga), Rob Mounsey (keyboards), Andrés Beeuwsaert (keyboards) and Brazilian vocalist Tatiana Parra.
Most of the material are new original pieces by Steve Khan, inspired by Afro-Latin rhythms and tumbaos along with “Bye-ya” by Thelonious Monk, and “Chronology” and “Blues Connotation” by Ornette Coleman. Even though this is the first Latin Jazz recording led by a guitarist in many years, Khan combines his excellent guitar work with plenty of opportunities for the rest of the musicians to show their talent.
Unfortunately, self-producing an album is an expensive venture. Khan may not be able to replicate this in the future: “With each of these last three studio produced recordings, when they concluded, there was always the thought that it could well be my last recording. Short of some miracle, and I don’t believe in them, I don’t see how there’s any way that I can bear this financial burden ever again. So, for me, this is probably it.”
Track listing: Chronology (Ornette Coleman), Los Gaiteros (Steve Khan), Change Agent – El Catalizador(Steve Khan), Bye-ya (Thelonious Monk), María Mulambo (Steve Khan-Manolo Badrena), Influence Peddler – Traficante de Influencias(Steve Khan), When She’s Not Here – Cuando Ella no Está(Steve Khan), Blues Connotation (Ornette Coleman), Zancudoville (Steve Khan), and Just Deserts – Su merecido (Steve Khan).
An extraordinary powerful Latin jazz album by one of the finest guitarists in the American jazz scene.
Buy the album or MP3 downloads:
- In North America: Parting Shot. Other recordings available: Suitcase, Green Field, The Blue Man, Borrowed Time, Got My Mental
- In Europe: Parting Shot. Other recordings available: Blue Man, Borrowed Time, The Suitcase
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
