Mark Weinstein and his San Francisco Bay area-based Latin jazz quintet perform bop-oriented Afro-Cuban jazz, music that is not all that much different than the Latin jazz of the '50s and '60s.
Weinstein has an attractive sound and a fluent style on flute, pianist Mark Levine gets nearly as much solo space as the leader, and the rhythm section keeps the music swinging, grooving, and danceable.
Weinstein, whether jamming on the chord changes of "Giant Steps" ("Broadway Local"), playing tunes by
Wayne Shorter or
Thelonious Monk, or Latinizing obscurities, is in top form throughout. Fans of
Cal Tjader (despite the lack of vibes), 1960s
Herbie Mann, and traditional Latin jazz will enjoy this likable set. ~ Scott Yanow