CD review: Robby Ameen – Diluvio 2020: Video, CD cover

Grammy-winning New York drummer Robby Ameen has had an established recording and touring career stretching from Dizzy Gillespie to Paul Simon over the last four decades, highlighted by a 20-year run with the band of Latin icon Rubén Blades.

Although he’s of Lebanese origin, Ameen is best known for the unique and powerful Afro-Cuban jazz style he developed and displayed on hundreds of recordings, including many with Dave Valentin, Eddie Palmieri, Kip Hanrahan, and Conrad Herwig’s Latin Side All-Stars. Diluvio marks Ameen’s 3rd release as a composer, arranger & band leader, teaming with Troy Roberts, Bob Franceschini, Conrad Herwig, Edsel Gómez, Lincoln Goines, Bill O’Connell & Mauricio Herrera, most with whom he goes back several decades. Musically, it’s his vision of the sounds he’s dedicated a lifetime to exploring: Afro-Cuban music with deep strains of contemporary hard bop and funk, thoroughly infused with an indomitable spirit.

Track list

1. Fast Eye 5:28
2. Cremant 6:58
3. Tempest Dance 7:37
4. Herr Jesu Christ, wahr’ Mensch und Gott, BWV 127: Aria 4:27
5. The Drifter’s Plan 5:54
6. Mixology 5:09
7. Into the Clear 5:53
8. Line for Lyons 6:18
9. Impressions 3:25

Personnel

Troy Roberts – tenor sax (1,6,7,8,9) & soprano (4)
Bob Franceschini – tenor sax (1,2,3,4,6), soprano (4,5), bari (8)
Conrad Herwig – trombone (1,2,3,5,8)
Edsel Gomez – piano (2,3,4,5), fender rhodes (1)
Bill O’Connell – piano (6,7,8), fender rhodes (5)
Lincoln Goines – acoustic & electric bass
Robby Ameen – drums
Mauricio Herrera – congas & cajón