Review by Wade Vonasek
The latest release from drummer/percussionist/composer Marlon Simon and his band the Nagual Spirits, In Case You Missed It, is, as one would expect, percussion-heavy, rhythmically sound Latin jazz. The album features nine tracks, four being originals, and some stellar musical performances from Marlon, brothers Edward Simon on piano and Michael Simon on trumpet, Alex Norris on trumpet, Michael Boone and Boris Kozlov on bass, Peter Brainin on sax, Roberto Quintero on percussion, Carlos Rubio and Ali Bello on violin, Miguel Rojas on cello and Adriana Linares on viola.
Highlights include the interesting combination of strings, piano and percussion in “Overture,” which makes it a hard track to pin down genre-wise; “Manicero,” which features smokin’ keys from Edward Simon; the shuffle of “Home Cooking;” the beach-y feel of “Pa Los Morillo;” and the beautifully-melancholy “Huele A Peligro;” Marlon’s percussion is top-notch as well, as evidenced in “Passing By,” the previously mentioned “Manicero” and in the breakdown of “Root Melody.”
In Case You Missed It gives listeners plenty of motivation to get on the dance floor too. And though not ground-breaking, In Case You Missed It is a more than competent piece of Latin jazz and definitely a recommended listen, especially to fans of that genre.
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