Khan, Steve
Tone Center, 2016, CD
Instrument: Guitar
Issue: 23.1
Jazz Ruler Type: Fusion
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score:
O’s Notes: Veteran jazz guitarist Steve Khan has created a unique blend of complex melodies infusing guitar and percussion. It is Latin-fusion that skips the acrobatics but is not short on sweet melodies and syncopated beats. Bassist Rubén Rodriguez, drummer Mark Walker, Marc Quiñones (timbal, bongo, perc) and Bobby Allende (conga, bongo) join Khan to form the core quintet. There are also five guest artists appearing across the ten selections notably Randy Brecker (t) and Bob Mintzer (sax). They open with sparks flying on Monk’s “Criss Cross” and it’s“on“from there! There’s a nice take of Stevie Wonder’s “Go Home”. We also enjoyed the heavy salsa groove “Catta” featuring vocalizing by Tatiana Parra.
Publicist: Bloom Media Relations