Search - Cal Tjader, Charlie Byrd :: Tambu

3 and a half, actually...Charlie and Cal caught in time..

douglasnegley | Pittsburgh, Pa. United States | 09/30/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This LP was released in 1973 (the promo, at least), and it was a very strange time for jazz - even cross-over jazz. Listening today to "My Cherie Amour", I don't feel the same way about it as I did then. Then, it was an attempt to popularize the LP for more mass appeal. It didn't work...and yet, I like it now. The one REALLY 5-star tune is their version of Tom Jobim's "Tereza, My Love", a stunningly beautiful tune that Charlie plays really well. Cal eats it alive, cascading perfect rhythmic and melodic runs up and down his instrument. "Tambu", the title cut, is a movin' Afro-Latino train. It's too bad that this one was caught in a kind of 'time warp'. Hopefully it will get its due."

Solid but lacking drive

svakula@hotmail.com | Italy/Russia | 01/04/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"A good album with some sound playing by Charlie Byrd and attempts by Cal Tjader to stay tuned into the mainstream and Brazilian-flavored jazz. Byrd plays acoustic and electric guitars with his usual elegance but quite often lacks inventive, Tjader is definitely not in his best shape, sometimes sounding even dull and bored. Some fine examples of playing by the backing musicians bring the overall rating to an album that is good in playing and sound quality, though stereo separation sometimes is not well expressed, but definitely not a Must-Buy for either of the musicians."