Dedication and The Reckless Search for Beauty are the two CDs, which were released by noted trombonist Wayne Wallace a few days ago.An advance earful of the two CDs has definitely proven that they both have all the ingredients to be a success as far as sales go. There is a mixture of music on these compilations with Latin jazz being its mainstay. As the saying goes "forewarned is forearmed", so it is highly impossible to sit in your chair while you give any one of these CDs a spin. Consider yourself warned.
Indeed, Wayne Wallace is a master at this kind of thing. And why shouldn't he be? This is a man who has spent most of his life composing and playing alongside performers that have the groove factor like Earth Wind and Fire, Tito Puente, Carlos Santana and Joe Henderson to name a few. He knows what it takes to get you on your feet and this is evident on the CD The Reckless Search For Beauty.
With eleven tracks enclosed, The Reckless Search for Beauty, is good to the last drop, or in this case, until the last song track has concluded. "El Duende Africano" is the CD's opener that boasts of having a generous amount of Latin flavorings interspersed with African/Caribbean influences. Not far behind musically is the tasty dance treat that is "Paso a Paso (It All Adds Up)". Bill Wither's classic "Use Me", is given a 21st century funk-Latin treatment while on Miles Davis' "Tune Up", Wayne Wallace's trombone playing style shines remarkably.
Other noteworthy tracks on this CD includes the sweetly fluent "Chromatic Love Affair", a Latin ballad, the samba-esque "Nadie" and a unique version of Mongo Santamaria's "Afro Blue". The latter is replete with congas and chanting capturing African rhythms along the way.
On Wallace's second CD called Dedication, the music runs the gamut of straight-ahead jazz, some Latin, bossa nova and a few ballads here and there. And then there are some tracks like "Blues Image" that has a mix of all the aforementioned genres in it that are dispersed evenly. Clearly, Dedication holds the passport to a musical journey you just can't refuse.
The CD's title track "Dedication" is dramatic by nature. In fact its beginning is reminiscent of a movie score and a look at the linear notes says that Wallace has also contributed to writing music for film. It is an impressive little piece this title track, which broadens embrace an engaging samba that would have you shaking your hips. There is a beguiling flute anchoring the delightful "Pat's Song" and you can hear the wails and moans of the instrument as it imitates a human slain by the spirit in the ethereal "Spiritual."
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