**** Bobby Matos & his Afro-Cuban Jazz Ensemble

FOOTPRINTS

(CuBop)

There's no better Afro-Cuban jazz recording in 1996 than this commanding disc. Composer and percussionist Matos has been performing great salsafied jazz for more than a decade in LA, but national recognition has been slow arriving. Footprints should change that. The title cut, a stunning arrangement of the Wayne Shorter tune, showcases a burning soprano-sax solo by Michael Turre, brother of trombonist Steve Turre and an up-and-coming cooker. An arrangement of Coltrane's "Naima" opens with a trio of percussionists performing what sounds like a sacred Afro-Cuban ritual rhythm, a fitting preamble to a devout Coltrane tune. Guest trumpeter Jerry Gonzalez (bolder here than on any of his Fort Apache band releases) adds punch to the powerhouse horn section, and everyone seems to be performing out of that rare state of consciousness called "Eternal Havana Jam."

-- Norman Weinstein