Danuel Tate At Juno Download

Review: This new long-player from Cobblestone Jazz member Danuel Tate makes it clear where the jazz part of the trio's name comes from. Throughout Mexican Hotbox, Tate draws heavily on his love of this musical form, but manages to do so in a way that is both diverse and avoids clichés. "Populatio" is based on swinging rhythms, while on "OK Then", Tate lets loose and opts for a more freeform groove, and "Californian Can Can" is based on a walking funk bass. There are other influences, audible on the Spanish guitar playing of "Mexican Hotbox" and the dubby techno of "Big Spender", but Tate is at his strongest - and we'd suspect, his happiest - when he's dropping the syncopated beats and warm vibes of "Careful Mind". Highly recommended.