Bolero is the Latin American equivalent of ballads -- slow, romantic, mid-tempo and loaded with sentimentality. As such, it is a style of music more suited to dancers moving cheek-to-cheek by candlelight than to a cutting-edge improvisational jazz artist. But on his latest release on the Gitanes label, "Nocturne," Charlie Haden demonstrates just how right the unlikely combination can be.
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Though best-known for his bass work with everyone from Ornette Coleman to Keith Jarrett -- and though modern Cuban styles and slower varieties of salsa can be traced to bolero's subtle flavors and shuffling rhythm -- Haden focuses entirely on creating an authentic, reverential homage, on delivering bolero in its purest form. Even Cuban-born pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba and percussionist Ignacio Berroa rein in their jazz and salsa instincts to focus on the lilting melodies and delicate harmonies.
The rhythm of bolero, far from the wildness of salsa, retains an even pulse that is smooth and comforting. And, true to the style, "Nocturne" keeps a constant tempo and volume all the way through. The melodic lines and understated solos by such jazz heavies as Pat Metheny on acoustic guitar, Joe Lovano and David Sanchez on tenor sax, and Federico Britos Ruiz on violin add nuance to the focused trio feel.
Undoubtedly, most critics will detract points for the "dinner music" ambience of many of these tunes, but, after all, what's more irritating than having to get up in the middle of dinner and switch a CD because some producer wanted an "exciting" (read "loud and jarring") cut around track 7?