Charlie Haden: Land of the Sun

From free jazz and protest songs to American folk tunes, eclecticism has been bassist Charlie Haden's stock-in-trade. On his previous recording, Nocturne, Haden, Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano, and percussionist Ignacio Berroa explored the Latin ballad tradition. Here, save for Augstin Lara's "Solamente Una Vez (You Belong to My Heart)" (previously recorded by Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra) and Armando Manzanero's "Esta Tarde Vi Llover (Yesterday I Heard the Rain)," Haden focuses on the work of little-known Mexican composer Jose Sabre Marroquin. Haden's vivid and vibrant bass lines are augmented by Rubalcaba's transcendent arrangements, featuring Lovano and alto saxophonist Miguel Zenon. Marroquin's romantic boleros and canciones, especially "Nostalgia" and "Paola's Song," exemplify the softer syncopations of the Latin sound. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Charlie Haden: bass
Gonzalo Rubalcaba: piano, percussion
Ignacio Berroa: drums, percussion
Joe Lovano: tenor saxophone
Miguel Zenon: alto saxophone
Michael Rodriguez: trumpet, flugelhorn
Oriente Lopez: flute
Larry Koonse: guitar
Lionel Loueke: guitar
Juan De La Cruz (Chocolate): bongo

Tracklisting:

1. Fuiste Tu (It Was You) 6:17
2. Sueno Solo COn Tu Amor (I Only Dream of Your Love) 5:08
3. Cancion De Cuna a Patricia (Lullaby for Patricia) 6:59
4. Solamente Una Vez (You Belong to My Heart)) 8:06
5. Nostalgia 5:40
6. De Siempre (Forever) 7:07
7. Añoranza (Longing) 3:20
8. Cuando Te Podre Olvidar (When Will I Forget You) 4:48
9. Esta Tarde Vi Llover (Yesterday I Heard the Rain) 6:43
10. Cancion a Paola (Paola's Song) 8:59