Che Corazón

Review

Gato Barbieri's last release, the smooth-jazz success Qué Pasa?, reasserted the Argentinian's chart presence after a 10-year absence from recording. However, unlike Philippe Saisse's technology-heavy production for that disc, Che Corazón emphasizes the human quality of barbieri's sound, seemingly affirming the tenor saxophonist's renewed commitment to life.
While his lustrous tone possesses the romantic passion of an operatic tenor, Gato's powerful presence still has the sonic thrill that listeners associate with the tenor saxophone. His sense of the "long line" in improvising - a process that his old associate Steve Lacy once called "taking a line for a walk" - adorns some ravishing melodies here. "Encounter" has warm instrumental colors, courtesy of Mike Ricchiuti's keyboards, and features the ace percussion team of Sammy Figueroa and David Charles. "Seven Servants," a darkly mysterious Barbieri composition, is given an expansive orchestral arrangement by producer Chuck Loeb, who also contributes fluid guitar work throughout.
Loeb is a worthy collaborator on Corazón. His arranging devices, such as the low-register keyboard dance half-way through "The Woman on the Lake" and the seductively mesmeric opening of "I Want You" (done in tribute to Gato's late friend, Marvin Gaye), show him to be a sympathetic elucidator of Barbieri's music. His string writing on Gato's joyful take on "Auld Lang Syne" is an eloquent expression of happiness. The latter permeates all of Gato's music, throughout a rich career that spans more than three decades. Che Corazón is a wonderful gift from a master.
--Larry Nai, JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc. -- From Jazziz, ISBN13: B00000IMYS ISBN10: B00000IMYS Material Type: audioCD