CODES - IGNACIO BERROA
Drummer Ignacio Berroa has played with almost everyone under the sun, from Dizzy Gillespie and Tito Puente to Chico Buarque, yet “Codes” is Berroa’s first album as leader. Better late than never, especially when the result is this compelling. Berroa mustered an impressive group, including Gonzalo Rubalcaba, David Sanchez, Ed Simon and John Patitucci. They cover an intriguing range of material, including Chick Corea’s “Matrix,” Gillespie’s “Woody ‘N’ You” and Wayne Shorter’s “Pinocchio.” A Berroa original, “Joao Su Merced,” is also featured. The free-form performances are nourished by Berroa’s innate feel for Afro-Cuban jazz and quickened by the world-class chops of everyone who made this scene. “Codes” possesses a keen edge and is an awesome debut for Berroa in the role of boss.Billboard
