Ray Vega moves from Concord to Palmetto for
Pa'lante, an energetic sextet outing. The trumpeter is deeply immersed in bop and post-bop, as he makes clear with imaginative Latin arrangements of
Charlie Parker's "Yardbird Suite,"
Duke Jordan's "Flight to Jordan,"
Wayne Shorter's priceless "El Gaucho," and, most audaciously, the first movement of
John Coltrane's A Love Supreme. (
Vega's choice of cornet for the
Shorter tune is interesting.) Alto saxophonist Bobby Porcelli extends the post-bop theme with an original titled "K.D.," dedicated to
Kenny Dorham and based on "Alone Together" changes.
Vega contributes four originals -- all good, but not as memorable as the covers. Bassist
Boris Kozlov shines on the mid-tempo, minor-key "Prayer of Jabez" and a stinging arco introduction to the
Coltrane piece. Pianist Igor Atalita, drummer Willie Martinez, and percussionist Wilson "Chembo" Corniel also weigh in with strong playing throughout. ~ David R. Adler