Reviews

The experienced, Bristol-based Tito Puente influenced percussionist/arranger Dave Betts specialises in infectiously funky latin-jazz grooves and his new horn-led ensemble recording caters for those still getting their kicks out on the floor.

Dave Betts is a UK-based drummer who displays on this album his love for the post-bop, funk and

Latin music of Chick Corea, Michael Brecker, Maceo Parker, Tito Puente and others. You might think a band with such a strong inspiration can’t go far wrong, and In this case you’d be right. Betts has his head as percussionist, exploring rhythmic ambiguities though shifts from 12/8 to 4/4 on ‘To And Fro’ and generally keeping the music pulsing. The writing is his, with input from keys man Anders Olinder and there are ear-catching solos from the reed and brass men. Try Matt Boume-Jones’s gossamer flugel on the ambling. wistfully harmonised samba ‘Regrets’. In all, a pleasingly varied and well-executed set that proves the perennial appeal of strong rhythm, melody and structure. This would fit the bill on many a summer festival.