*** Potato

THE LEGEND OF CUBAN PERCUSSION

(Six Degrees)

Now almost 75 years old, Carlos "Patato" Valdes has accompanied many of the heavies of Afro-Latin pop and jazz in the latter half of the 20th century. So it's no surprise that he pulls together the cream of the current crop for his own Ritmo y candela project. This release presents a sterling selection from these West Coast sessions. Patato came to the US in 1954 and made a name for himself in as part of Herbie Mann's group, so jazz is in his blood almost as much as fluid, subtle Afro-Cuban rhythms.

This set features instrumental prowess, from the free-blowing saxophone and flute of Enrique Fernández to Rebecca Mauleón Santana's crisp, darting piano work. And Patato's own uniquely melodic percussion marks every track. Early in his career, he altered the tuning system for the ubiquitous conga drum, and his changes became the standard. Whether soloing or backing, the man talks, even sings with his drums, drawing on the deepest roots of Cuban pop and extending them into the realm of jazz expression. These 12 dynamic tracks span classic son, ambling Latin jazz, funky guajira, and hypnotizing descargas (jam sessions); every moment is loaded with authenticity and personality. Three tracks near the end bring in West African harp and lute played by Abou M'Boup of Senegal, and also the distinctively Congolese vocals of Samba Mapangala.

-- Banning Eyre