Obiedo, Ray
Windham Hill Jazz, 2021, CD
Instrument: Guitar
Issue: 28.1
Jazz Ruler Type: Latin
Performance: 5
Sound: 4
Score: 99
O’s Notes: Guitarist and composer Ray Obiedo has a reputation for producing memorable, R&B-laced tunes. His second volume of Latin Jazz Project is equally on point. He captures the Latin vibe with the help of Peter Michael Escovedo (congas, bongo, timbales, perc), Michael Spiro (guiro, tamborim, shaker), Jon Bendich (congas), Paul van Wageningen (d), David Belove (b), and featured artists David Garibaldi (d), Bob Mintzer (sax) and Sheila E. (congas). Obiedo wrote seven of eight tracks that all feel immediately relevant. His guitar is magical and he weaves the multitude of musicians into the mix seamlessly as on “Uno Dos” (featuring Mintzer) and “Santa Lucia” with Phil Hawkins on steel pans.
Publicist: Mouthpiece Music
