Album review: Charlie Rouse Band - Cinnamon Flower, the expanded edition (Resonance Records)

Charlie Rouse (tenor sax); Clifford Adams (trombone); Claudio Roditi, Waymon Reid (trumpets); Lou Orenstein (flute); Dom Salvador (piano, Rhodes, comp); Albert Dailey (elec. piano); Ted Dunbar, George Davis (elec. guitar); Amaury Tristäo (acoustic guitar, comp.); Jesse Levy, Ulysses Kirksey (cello); Wilbur Bascomb, Ron Carter (bass); Portinho, Bernard Purdie (drums); Carlos Martinez, Steve Thornton (perc.); Roger Powell (string synth.)

Cinnamon Flower resulted from a 1977 recording session led by the legendary Monk sideman Charlie Rouse and a hand-picked selection of New York jazzmen, Brazilian expats and several studio musicians.

The first seven tracks were issued on LP. They were then duplicated but not released until now.

The original seven had strings, horns, keyboards and drums added as overdubs afterwards and it was these that were released. The second set of seven were as the previous but without the bells and whistles. there is a place for both and Rouse is simply magnificent with or without the overdubs. The rhythm is just as effective either way and, if nothing else (and there is much, much more) it proves that Rouse was very much his own man and more than just an acolyte of the 'High Priest'.

As with all Resonance albums the presentation is faultless. A 28 page glossy  booklet with readable text, photos and an intimate reflection on his father by Charlie "Chico" Rouse.

If you like Latin based jazz that isn't blatantly commercial then this is for you (and me!). Lance

BANDCAMP

Backwoods Echo*; Disenchantment*; A New Dawn*; Quiet Pictures*; Clove and Cinnamon*; Roots*; Waiting on the Corner*; Backwoods Echo; Disenchantment; A New Dawn; Quiet Pictures; Clove and Cinnamon; Roots; Waiting on the Corner; Meeting House

*Overdubbed versions.