DAVE VALENTIN — Tropic Heat (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Flutist Dave Valentin's 16th album for GRP is one of his best. His regular group (a quartet with pianist Bill O'Connell, bassist Lincoln Goines, and drummer Robbie Ameen) is augmented by two percussionists and an excellent seven-member horn section that consists of the reeds of Dick Oatts, Mario Rivera, and David Sanchez; trombonist Angel "Papo" Vasquez; and three trumpeters, including Charlie Sepulveda. All of the horns get their opportunities to solo and the result is a particularly strong Latin jazz session. Valentin continues to grow as a player and he cuts loose on several of these tracks.  Scott Yanow

Tracklist :

1 My Favorite Things 4:40

Oscar Hammerstein II / Richard Rodgers

Arranged By – Bill O'Connell

2 Sweet Lips 6:12

Bill O'Connell / Dave Valentin

3 Don Q 5:05

Arranged By – Bernd Schoenhart

Written-By – Bernd Schoenhart

4 Danzon for My Father 6:08

Arranged By – Oscar Hernandez

Written-By – Oscar Hernandez

5 Mr. Evil 4:54

Bill O'Connell 

6 Bello Amanecer 4:44

Tito Enriquez

Arranged By – Angel "Papo" Vasquez

7 Sam's Groove 6:13

Bill O'Connell

8 Tasty Mango 4:01  

Arranged By, Written-By – Angel "Papo" Vasquez

9 Sangria 5:48
Dave Valentin
Arranged By – Bill O'Connell, Dave Valentin
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Dick Oatts
Bass Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Vocals – Mario Rivera
Congas – Jerry Gonzalez
Congas, Percussion – Milton Cardona
Drums – Robby Ameen
Electric Bass – Lincoln Goines
Flute, Producer – Dave Valentin
Guitar – Bernd Schoenhart
Piano – Bill O'Connell
Tenor Saxophone – David Sanchez
Timbales, Percussion – Andreu Johnny Almendra
Trombone – Angel Papo Vazquez
Trumpet – Charlie Sepulveda, David "Piro" Rodríguez, Ray Vega

DIZZY GILLESPIE – To Diz, With Love (Live At The Blue Note) (1992) APE (tracks+.cue), lossless

Dizzy Gillespie's final recording, taken from a month he spent featured at the Blue Note in New York, matches the aging giant with such fellow trumpeters as Jon Faddis, Wynton Marsalis, Claudio Roditi, Wallace Roney, Red Rodney, Charlie Sepulveda and the ancient -- but still brilliant -- Doc Cheatham (who cuts both Diz and Faddis on "Mood Indigo"). Although Gillespie was no longer up to the competition, the love that these fellow trumpeters had for him (and some fine solos) makes this historic CD worth getting. Scott Yanow              Tracklist + Credits :