Customer Reviews:
 Eddie Palmieri genius... August 20, 2007
D. B. Dalglish (Durham)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Like a lot of Latin fusions, this record manages to cram a whole load of jazz, funk and latin styles into the mix so that the music teems with sound and variety. Sometimes this just doesn't work but here it certainly does, as the final track shows excellently.
Despite the amount going on, the record is actually very relaxed and largely a very layed back set. The reason for this, i suppose, is the subject matter. It is a celebration of Harlem as a place in 1970, but of course raises questions about the communities problems. Having said this, it is not a particularly political album but a fairly light offering.
Most of the tracks feature vocals which sound incredibley similar to those that crop up in some of Santana's work. There are similarities in other elements of the sound - drawn out latin interludes between vocals etc. - but the sound focuses more on the use of horns and percussion, with accompanying heavy bass. So, a cross between Santana and some of Palmieri's other work. The highlight is definitely the up-tempo 'Seeds of life'.
Well worth it, a strong offering from Palmieri with no weak links and a great fusion of the Latin, soul, jazz and funk scene going on in New York at the time.
|
