CD Review: Mark Towns: Flamenco Jazz Latino (Salongo 2290)
By Egidio Leitao for CaravanMusic.com
Sit back and let yourself get involved in Mark Towns' mesmerizing debut recording, Flamenco Jazz Latino. His command and style with the
nylon-string Spanish guitar adds a whole different twist and taste to what has generally been referred to as Latin Jazz. The repertoire, which includes merengue, güaracha, mambo, bolero, and danzón, is absolutely captivating. Whether playing the entrancing merengue, "Salamanca," or the slow bolero "Like the Wind," in which he uses electric Spanish guitars, Mark's sensitivity is passionate all the way. Tenor sax player Kirk Whalum and flutist Hubert Laws guest star on a couple of tracks. They are the icing on an excellent ensemble that includes Douglas Guevara and Jorge "Cro-Cro" Orta (percussion), Rainel Pino (piano), Erin Wright and Anibal Ambert (bass). The güajira "Sabrosa" sums up this album in one word: delicious.