Vagabond Synth Nerd’s Journal Vol. 261 - Effective for Cooling Down in the Summer Heat! Latin Jazz Music

Bossa Nova is nice, but... it Goes From Chill to Active, to Hot!

I have become inclined to think that “Summer is Bossa Nova” and I listen to it more so than other music in the summer.
The reason is because it’s not pushy, it suits any scene, and it flows like air. That said, it’s not made up of simple three-part harmonies—there are sounds in the background that include complex tensions.
The smooth vocal phrasing makes you feel as if you’re wearing a linen shirt. These tension chords are the true identity of that smooth feeling.

Bossa Nova, if anything, is a relaxed 2-beat music with a groove, but musically it’s categorized as “Chill”.
“Chill” not only means “cold” or “cool,” but it also carries meanings like “relaxed” or “laid-back”. Recently, there’s even a category called “Chill Music”, which has become popular in certain circles.

This time, we’ll talk about “Latin Jazz,” which musically belongs to a category like a relative of Bossa Nova, but is more active and hot.
If Bossa Nova is “Chill”, then Latin Jazz is “Hot” music.
You want to relax, but still keep your mind clear. The overwhelming choice of music for such times is Latin Jazz.

Latin Jazz, as its name suggests, was created by immigrants who came from South America, particularly Cuba and Brazil. It is music based on salsa, mambo, rumba, and other styles formed from unique rhythms. It’s not just the typical four-piece rhythm section, but it has percussion like congas, bongos, and agogôs that are used abundantly, and amid the swirling Latin groove, lively melodies unfold. While its musical origin is similar to that of Bossa Nova and Samba, Latin Jazz is, in a sense, the musical opposite.
When the summer heat makes your body sluggish and drains your motivation, I absolutely recommend listening to Latin Jazz.

■ Recommended Album: Grant Green / THE LATIN BIT (1963)

Jazz guitarist Grant Green’s first Latin-themed album, released in 1963.
He was born in Missouri, USA and his guitar, which grooves with a bluesy and funky feel, sparked a new boom in the 1980s as part of the rare groove category.
This album contains many bright and danceable tracks, blending a bluesy flavor with a four-beat swing feel.
A confident album infused with plenty of Latin essence. The recording features Ike Quebec on tenor saxophone, Sonny Clark and John Adriano Acea on piano, Wendell Marshall on bass, and Willie Bobo on drums.

Recommended Track: "Mambo Inn"

Grant Green is a bebop-style guitarist, but his clear and funky phrases, combined with a slight roughness, come across as very cute to our ears.
This track has a stronger 16-beat feel rather than a four-beat feel, and Latin percussion such as congas supports the core of the beat in this tropical tune. There is not a trace of the dark tone that’s typical of bebop.
What’s interesting is the acoustic piano solo by pianist John Adriano Acea. Compared to Grant’s guitar, the piano actually has a stronger bebop feel.
Adriano Acea’s playing is not flashy, but he serves as the backbone that makes the whole band ensemble, including the guitarist, groove together even more.
The Latin percussion’s undulating rhythm strongly drives the groove of the ensemble, as it also lifts the mood when it tends to sink.

■ Recommended Album: Hank Mobley / Dippin' (1966)

A masterpiece of an album released by Hank Mobley in 1966 that’s rich in Latin jazz colors.
Mobley’s leadership and composition skills are fully demonstrated here, so this album was well aware of the trends of the time, as it includes soul jazz, bossa nova, hard bop, and modern jazz. The passionate performances of the participating members are sprinkled throughout the entire album.

Recommended Track: "Ricardo Bossa Nova"

It might be strange for me to say this, but the highlight of this track is Lee Morgan’s trumpet solo. Just when you think it’s over, various phrases keep flooding in without end. Moreover, the intensity is overwhelming. Listening to such a solo, you can feel your body fill with energy. Of course, Hank Mobley’s saxophone solo is also wonderful, but if you listen, you’ll understand why Lee Morgan is a step ahead.
The acoustic piano is played by Harold Mabern Jr. in his impressive solo development, which follows the horn players’ phrases, and it evokes the budding new era with a hard bop background.

Musicians, Albums, and Recommended Tracks Featured This Time

• Artists: Grant Green, John Adriano Acea, Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan, Harold Mabern Jr.
• Albums: THE LATIN BIT, Dippin’
• Recommended Tracks: “Mambo Inn”, “Ricardo Bossa Nova”

The “sound & person” column is made up of contributions from you.
For details about contributing, click here.