Poncho Sanchez

LATIN SPIRITS

(Concord Picante)

“People would be calling his changes wrong to his face. If he hadn’t been so strong in his mind, he might easily have become discouraged. But he always went his own way and wouldn’t change for anything.” That’s what drummer Denzil Best remembers most about a young pianist by the name of Thelonious Monk. Imagine if you could, what could have transpired had a young Thelonious stopped listening to that inner voice.

With twenty-plus releases in the can, conguero Poncho Sanchez can rest assured that he has most definitely been doing something right. Like Monk, he hasn’t stopped to listen to what his critics have had to say, and rightfully so. After all, even the Jazz and Latin music purists can’t argue that he’s enjoyed a degree of success over the past twenty-plus years.

LATIN SPIRITS is Poncho’s latest release. This time out Poncho, and company, offer the listener a smorgasbord of rhythm ranging from bolero to descarga, with a sprinkling of the blues, jazz, and soul. Also on hand are special guests like Chick Corea, who contributes an original composition for the date, and vocalist and harmonica player Dale Spalding.

All eleven tracks contained on LATIN SPIRITS, I’m sure, will quench the thirst of Poncho’s legion of fans, and others that are sure to pop up in the wake of this latest release. After all, LATIN SPIRITS is a good production featuring good music. Now, isn’t that what it’s all about?

Isn’t it a good thing to listen to that inner voice every once in a while?

 - George Rivera

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