Album Review

danny gonzalez [allmusic.com]

Released in 1985 this was Dave Valentin's 7th album for Dave Grusin and [Larry Rosen] under their production company as he was the first artist signed by them for their label in 1978 with a successful debut. This album is a very strong and fun follow up to 1984's Kalahari which Valentin was just getting his feet wet with his new bandmates that included Bill O'Connell. The album is pure Latin fusion and funk mixing in the occasional interpretation of a hit song at the time which in this case was Stevie Wonder's ''Love Light In Flight'' from his hit soundtrack ''The Woman In Red''. Unlike Kalahari which was a little more laid back and somewhat restrained rhythmically, Valentin and his band lets loose on great latin vibes on this album with ''Tabasco'', ''Oasis'', ''Very Nice Indeed'' and his own Latin rendition of ''I Loves You Porgy'' with Valentin playing off O'Connell in a duet setting which is very catchy and tranquil. The album is one of Valentin's best from this period of his career and well worth seeking out especially for its beautiful artwork as GRP Records would provide for their albums in the beginning of the label.