by Chupacabra » Mon Feb 04, 2008 3:37 am
I was doing my usual Sunday rounds in the thrift stores and public library and came upon an interesting looking CD at the library. It's a Jack Bruce recording called "Shadows in the Air" (2001). For those who don't know, Jack Bruce is mostly known for being part of a British blues/rock outfit called "Cream" from the mid '60's to around 1971 I think . They were the original "Power Trio" featuring Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. Why am I talking about an old British rocker on this website? Because as I was giving the CD a listen, within the first couple of songs I could tell that he recorded with a pretty tricked out percussion and rhythm section. So I check out the credits and guess who's on the album? It's a bloody who's who of Latin and Cuban percussionists and musicians is who's on this thing! Richie Flores, ElNegro, Changuito, Milton Cardona, and a brass section made up of Latin players. Clapton. Dr. John and Gary Moore also attend the drop-in clinic.
Unfortunately, with all this talent on board it's not enough to save the album because one quickly realizes why ol' Jack never really took off as a soloist! There are some really good conga and timbale rips dispersed throughout. Talk about a "Strange Brew" though!
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