Oye Como Va
Hindsight, 2020
8/10
An ensemble put together by Peter Myers, who also directed and produced this album, The Hollywood Jazz Orchestra pulls in a 15 piece orchestra, where some of Southern California’s top talent are on hand to flesh out the legendary jazz tunes, including guest percussionist Alex Acuna.
The title track starts the listen with firm keys as warm brass enters the playful and soulful atmosphere, and this approach continues to the busy setting of the festive “The Trolley Song”, as well as the timeless blues of “Senor Blues”.
In the middle, “Star Crossed Lovers” burns slowly with elegant saxophone as a romantic mood unfolds with much sophistication, while “The Hornet” provides a frisky delivery of dynamic jazz sounds. “Try A Little Tenderness”, an especially noteworthy track, then meshes horns with percussion in unpredictable and exciting ways.
Near the end, “Three Trios” takes nods to Ellington, Davis and Monk with an exceptional trombone solo, and “The Chicken” exits the listen with plenty of lively texturing amid a soulful presence and deft basslines.
With over 4 decades of film and TV scoring under his belt, Myers and company turn in daring interpretations of these classics that were all recorded on the first take, while retaining the classic spirt of the originals and injecting new life that resonates with adventurousness.
Travels well with: Manteca- The Twelfth Of Never; William Chernoff- Aim To Stay