Ray Barretto: "The Other Road"

The cover is what first grabbed me about this record, with “the other road” referenced in the title leading to some sort of futuristic, Oz-like city, set against a mountain sunset.  Add to that the fact that this was released at the moment in time when master conguero Ray Barretto was starting to blend his Latin styles with funk grooves and vice versa, well…obviously, this became a must-locate item for me instantly.  Straight out the gate, you hear the Latin-funk-fusion “smack!” of Billy Cobham’s fatback drums, and you know you’re in for a total audio experience.  The crystal-clear production spotlights Barretto’s congas and the cascading keyboards of Eddy Martinez beautifully throughout, with highlights along the way being the classic Latin jazz title track; a percussive yet lyrical take on Thelonious Monk’s “Round Midnight”; Latin funk fiesta “Lucretia The Cat”; the deeply spiritual, ruminative “Oracion (The Prayer).”  Ray Barretto says about this album in the liner notes, “this is the source of pride for me, that we LATINOS got together and played some jazz.”  The group here doesn't just play—they re-invent.