Clark Terry & Chico O'Farrill - Spanish Rice

Jolie pièce que cet album réunissant deux monstres sympathiques des sixties : à ma gauche Chico O'Farrill, arrangeur et chef (d'orchestre) notoire parmi les bigs bands de latin jazz ; à ma droite le sémillant trompettiste Clark Terry, très en forme, accompagné par une section de cuivres (bugles et trompettes) et qui dans ses solos hisse les morceaux de cet album d'une aimable tonalité easy mambo à un latin jazz de belle tenue.
La pièce maîtresse étant l'éponyme Spanish Rice, groove immédiatement catchy, porté par un dialogue pépère et humoristique sur la recette du riz à l'espagnole. Leur interprétation de Tin Tin Deo n'est pas mal non plus ; car aux percussions cubaines, il y a le maître en personne, Chano Pozo et ça s'entend.
S'il est vrai (comme le signale la recension anglo-saxonne ci-dessous) que cela ne fait pas pour autant de ce LP un chaînon indispensable aux yeux des spécialistes, je persiste à dire qu'il y a là une session d'une exubérance contagieuse, un titre à faire démarrer les dancefloors poussifs, avec cette idée géniale de faire parler les musiciens, comme on n'en entend rarement dans le cubop et le latin jazz. Ce qui est déjà remarquable.

En partage la face B :
1. Spanish Rice
2. Say Si Si
3. Macarena
4. Tin Tin Deo
5. Contigo En La Distancia
5. Happiness Is


Clark Terry Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Chico O'Farrill Arranger, Conductor
Joe Newman Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Ernie Royal Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Snooky Young Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Everett Barksdale Guitar
Barry Galbraith Guitar
George Duvivier Bass
Julio Cruz Percussion
Frank Malabe Percussion

Spanish Rice has all the ingredients for a successful Latin music session: clattering percussionists, a couple of guitars, peppy horns - there's even a recipe for Spanish rice included for the curious. And one can assume that Chico O'Farrill, who almost single handedly pioneered the use of Latin music in a big band context, is certainly up to the task of establishing a Latin groove with a depth of expression and artistry not present in similar music from the era. But what really edges this recording into compelling avenues is the presence of Clark Terry, who applies the right amount of sizzle or sultriness to his soloing as the moment calls for.
Songs like "The Peanut Vendor" and "Macarena" (no, not that one) deliver on the enthusiasm and exuberance promised from the cover, creating an addictive groove that percolates through the entire album. However, although filled with swagger and joyful exuberance, if there's one major drawback, it's that the material can seem too insubstantial at times. "Spanish Rice" for example features a humorous exchange between O'Farrill and Terry, and a doctored "Happiness Is" pokes fun lyrically at several important jazz figures; both are amusing, but neither all that satisfying in the long run.
Despite the few misfires, Terry and O'Farrill serve up a rather tasty assortment of Latin melodies and exotic rhythms. Sure, they weren't the most successful commercially at this type of Latin instrumental music, but which is the heartier meal: whipped cream (and other delights) or Spanish rice ?