Ritmo Caliente

Pianist Eddie Palmieri, an innovative part of the Latin jazz and salsa scenes since the late '50s, mixes together a variety of idioms on this intriguing set. He uses a number of horns (including two or three trombones), an expanded rhythm section, occasional strings, and (on six of the 11 selections) a vocal group. Although there are some fine individual solos (including those from Palmieri and trumpeter Brian Lynch), it is the joyful sound of the ensembles that is most impressive. The individual tunes do not stick in one's mind and sometimes the music wanders away from jazz altogether into commercial salsa, but most of this set should be of interest to Afro-Cuban jazz listeners.