Candido Camero, age 94 as of this writing gives us an album full of catchy hooks and grooves played to the hilt, while interpreting the popular tunes of the day, infusing them with his Latin fire.
The luke-warm All Music review not withstanding, this IS one of Candido's best recordings, and should be a gold mine for beat lifters out there.
"Tic Tac Toe" is the Booker T and MG's vehicle that I swear eclipses the original, the power of those damned drums! Beautiful is one of those albums that I did not expect to like this much. So many reviews just blow it off as an overly commercial pop jazz album of the period. They hardly mention the tight rhythm playing, and those completely intoxicating drums.
Also, the production on the Vinyl and the CD remaster I have is insanely clear, I mean crystal clear on that CD. For 1970, this album was perfectly recorded at A&R studios New York City, and not by house arranger Rudy Van Gelder.
I'm listening again to the album while I write, and I am on the track "Serenade to a Savage" and I am about ready to jump up and start playing the congas myself.
I get the feeling some of the neo conservative jazz reviewers, the same ones who complain that pianist Cecil Taylor is too complex, complain that an album like THIS is too commercial. But, sometime commercial appeal and fine playing come together as one. This is one such occasion.
Understand, you have Candido on bongos and Congas, and a separate drummer Herbie Lovell, who provided a double barreled attack. They are Busy and infectious.
Guitarist David Spinozza adds something earthy too, and too his credit he comes through the swirling drums and horn blasts like a charm. "I Shouldn't Believe" is a fine groover too. Everything has the Candido stamp, that unifies the sound very nicely.
Also Saxophonist Alan Raph does a nice job adding his 2 or 3 cents. Again this should not be confused with a saxophone album, but he has his moments.
The Album closes out on nice mini drum suite "Ghana Spice" part 1 and 2. This work evokes memories of Mongo Santamaria's "Afro Blue" when the similar flute theme pops up between drum work.
Hard not to like this album if only for the crisp and clean drum sound. Again I am not a jazz snob, I like all types of music, a broad range of tastes. Yes, this isn't tradition jazz, and perhaps it's a stretch calling it any type of jazz. Guess what? Does that really matter in the end? It is great music.
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