Although Argentinean-born jazz pianist
Carlos Franzetti
is well-versed in both South American and Cuban styles, don't think of
Mambo Tango
as strictly a Latin recording. Sticking exclusively to solo piano for this session, his take of
"Have You Met Miss Jones"
could easily be mistaken for one of the neo-bop players who emerged during the 1980s and 1990s, with inventive improvisations against a walking irregular bassline. It is surprising that relatively few pianists have recorded
Gary McFarland
's moving
"Gary's Waltz,"
a favorite of the late
Bill Evans
, who played and recorded it numerous times. But
Franzetti
's approach is less dramatic and alters the melody in a subtle, infectious way that is far removed from
Evans
' interpretation. He also tackles
' popular
"Waltz for Debbie,"
shading it with an
Erroll Garner
-like bouncing rhythm for a time against his dazzling improvising in the upper keyboard.
's originals are equally of interest. His delightful
"Mambo Tango"
combines the two styles in a masterful performance, while
"Milonga del Adios"
is a bittersweet Latin ballad that deserves to have lyrics. To wrap this top-notch CD,
offers a tantalizing, deliberate setting of
Duke Ellington
's
"I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)."
Highly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden