Los Hombres Calientes, Vol. 2

Los Hombres Calientes, Vol. 2

ASIN: B00001XDP9

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Loosely translated as "The Hot Men," this New Orleans-based trio of percussionist Bill Summers, trumpeter Irvin Mayfield, and drummer Jason Marsalis go way beyond their homeboy Jelly Morton's command to add tinges of Latin to jazz. Augmented by bass, guitar, piano vocal, and drums, they create a swinging and dancing musical dish prepared with equal ingredients from all over the African diaspora: from the parade pulsations of "Comparsa N.O." to Argentine amour of "Tangeaux-zon." Marsalis, the boy wonder of his famous family, assimilates an astonishing array of moods and grooves, whether he's swinging a Latin mix on Roberta Flack's hit "Feel Like Makin' Love," laying down a roots riddim on the Black Uhuru-sounding "Rasta Renegade," or Afro-Americanizing the Cuban beat on "Fongo Sunk." A young Miles Davis with a tropical tone best describes Mayfield's sound on the three-part, "Cuban Suite," which includes an impressionistic string quartet, a balmy bolero, and a moving montuno. Bill Summers, the star of this outfit, is perhaps the best American-born African drummer ever. His sacred rhythms on "Alabi Oyo E" and "Suite Obatala" echo his work on Quincy Jones's Roots soundtrack, and the booty-shaking remake of "Chameleon," which he made famous with Herbie Hancock and Parliament's "We Want the Funk," reminds everybody where the "one" is. --Eugene Holley Jr.

From Rhythm Magazine
Joined by a pair of New Orleans musicians-drummer Jason Marsalis and trumpeter Irwin Mayfield-percussionist Bill Summers finds a mostly Cuban groove here. There's "Cuban Suite," with the Louisiana String Quartet, and arrangements based on the orishas Chango and Obatala. But Los Hombres also get to Brazil on "Blues de Enredo" and stay solid in the States with a wonderful Latin-jazz version of "Feel Like Makin' Love." The album closes with a medley reminiscent of the Rebirth Jazz Band-Herbie Hancock's "Chameleon" segueing into Parliament/Funkadelic's "We Want the Funk," which gets broken down to a Crescent City groove. So cool!

Los Hombres Calientes, Vol. 2

Tracks:

Ron's Groove
Cuban Suite, Pt. 1
Cuban Suite, Pt. 2
Cuban Suite, Pt. 3
Comparsa N.O.
Feel Like Makin' Love
Blues De Enredo
A Comer Y A Descargar
Rasta Renegade
Fongo Sunk
Young Lovers At First Sight (Intro)
Tangeaux-Zon
Daydreamer
Alabi Oyo E
Suite Obatala
Vamos A La Cima
Freshwater Girl (Intro)
Chameleon/We Want The Funk

Amazon.com

Loosely translated as "The Hot Men," this New Orleans-based trio of percussionist Bill Summers, trumpeter Irvin Mayfield, and drummer Jason Marsalis go way beyond their homeboy Jelly Morton's command to add tinges of Latin to jazz. Augmented by bass, guitar, piano vocal, and drums, they create a swinging and dancing musical dish prepared with equal ingredients from all over the African diaspora: from the parade pulsations of "Comparsa N.O." to Argentine amour of "Tangeaux-zon." Marsalis, the boy wonder of his famous family, assimilates an astonishing array of moods and grooves, whether he's swinging a Latin mix on Roberta Flack's hit "Feel Like Makin' Love," laying down a roots riddim on the Black Uhuru-sounding "Rasta Renegade," or Afro-Americanizing the Cuban beat on "Fongo Sunk." A young Miles Davis with a tropical tone best describes Mayfield's sound on the three-part, "Cuban Suite," which includes an impressionistic string quartet, a balmy bolero, and a moving montuno. Bill Summers, the star of this outfit, is perhaps the best American-born African drummer ever. His sacred rhythms on "Alabi Oyo E" and "Suite Obatala" echo his work on Quincy Jones's Roots soundtrack, and the booty-shaking remake of "Chameleon," which he made famous with Herbie Hancock and Parliament's "We Want the Funk," reminds everybody where the "one" is. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Customer Reviews:

An eclectic trip through many musical neighborhoods........2001-10-03

Having lived with, and listened to, Hombres Calientes, Volume 2, for several months, I have come to the conclusion that the disc is like a subway car ride through many musical neighborhoods. After each cut, it is as though the listener re-enters the darkness, each time emerging to a different beat, style or rhythm. While not all of the tracks work, enough should catch your attention in a first listening to prompt you to go back and re-visit and experience. Soon, you may find yourself enjoying every stop on the route.

The Most Smoking Live Band in the World today.......2001-03-12

I have seen Los Hombres Calientes at least 7 times including each of the past 3 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festivals. Their live show is one of the greatest shows I have ever seen. I know why they won the Billboard Music Award. Such imagination, technique, and musicianship from each of their members. Yvette is a beautiful woman whose presence on stage enhances the feeling of the crowd and teaches some of us who are not so great at dancing how to move gracefully to music. Irvin Mayfield is going to be near the top of the list of the best trumpeters ever...up there with Miles, Wynton, and Freddy. Bill Summers is the most gifted percussionist on the planet. I leave both of their first 2 CD's in my CD player all the time and can't wait for their 3rd.

A big disappointment.......2000-09-10

I went to see this group live in Houston last night and bought this CD before the concert started. Unfortunately, I should have waited till intermission and saved the $15 instead. Not knowing anything about Los Hombres Calientes I expected a true Latin Jazz group as advertised in their billing. Unfortunately this group does not have one ounce of Latin blood or spirit among them and it shows in this CD and their performance. One of the pieces they attempted last night was Mandinga, a great Cuban guaracha/son which they simply botched. Los Hombres Calientes must be trying to capitalize on the current popularity of Latin music, given their name and billing, however they should call themselves The Hot Men and play New Orleans jazz instead, a genre better suited for their style. If you want to listen to a real Mandinga, buy the Ruben Gonzales version on World Circuit.

Absolutely Outstanding!.......2000-06-24

This CD is definitely one of my absolute favorites. It is always one of the 5 cd's in my cd player and I have another copy for the car. This is truly inspired and ORIGINAL music. I'm lucky enough to live in New Orleans, so I can sometimes catch LHC live! Bill Summers (of HeadHunters fame) is a musical genius. LHC have a great international sound mixed with some true new orleans flavour! Irvin Mayfield has got to be the most talented young artist around. His style is really his own, and his compositions are original and moving. You don't have to think twice about this purchase. This CD is a MUST HAVE.

Simply amazing..........1999-11-13

Sometimes, when a group you love releases a new disc, there is a nervous anticipation in the days leading up to it. "Can they do it again? Will it be fresh?" etc... All these thoughts ran through my mind. Have no fear. Los Hombres Calientes do not become complacent on their second outing. From the string quartet on "Cuban Suite, Pt. 1" to the NOLA rap/brass band mixed in with latin vocals on "A Comer Y A Descargar", they have beguiled and amazed me yet again. Summers, Marsalis, Mayfield, et al drive home their intoxicating blend of latin rythms and Big Easy soul. I am not kidding; nothing else sounds like these guys. From the straight NOLA jazz sound at the beginning of "Blues De Enredo" to the funk smackdown of "Chameleon/We Want The Funk" that ends the disc, you will be amazed at how all of these sounds can coexist and become greater than the sum of their parts.

LHC is on the move, indeed! If you are one of the many Jazzoholics who believe they have heard it all and that there is nothing original out there anymore, slap this one in your changer, and change your outlook.

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