Comprising two separate dates, ‘Afro-Cuban’ presents two different sides to the music of Kenny Dorham. Both sides of this brilliant trumpeter’s music allow his playing to breathe and to stretch out. On the Afro/ Cuban/ Latin side there are three amazing tracks; each has its own flavour. The octet on those tracks includes percussionist Carlos ‘Potato’ Valdes, an irrepressible Art Blakey and bassist Oscar Pettiford. Horace Silver adds his own Latin inflections. And the horns apart from Kenny Dorham feature the legendary trombonist J J Johnson and the young and emerging talent of Hank Mobley, who is splendid throughout. Cecil Payne on baritone sax completes the horn section. ‘Afro Cuban’, ‘Basheers Dream’ and the barnstorming ‘Minors Holiday’ (check the live version on Art Blakey’s subsequent Live At Café Bohemia Volume 2) elevate the spirit with a sheer love of life feel. The second session – chronologically the first (Jan 1955) has a more authentic Bop feel as ‘K D’s Motion’, ‘Venita’s Dance’ and ‘La Villa’ show. ‘Afro Cuban’ is brilliant Jazz and provides the perfect setting for Kenny Dorham’s rich and rounded trumpet playing.
Track listings:
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01 Afrodisia by Kenny Dorham
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02 Lotus Flower by Kenny Dorham
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03 Minor’s Holiday by Kenny Dorham
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04 Minor’s Holiday (Alternate Version) by Kenny Dorham
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05 Basheer’s Dream by Kenny Dorham
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06 K.D.’s Motion by Kenny Dorham
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07 La Villa by Kenny Dorham
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08 Venita’s Dance by Kenny Dorham
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09 K.D.’s Cab Ride by Kenny Dorham
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