Pacifico

The Pacific coast is this congenial album’s common denominator: percussionist, composer and educator Robin Layne is based around Vancouver and Pacifico’s catalyst was a research grant for Layne and drummer Daniel Ruiz to study the marimba de chonta tradition in Colombia. “It’s my ode to the traditions of both Colombia and Mexican marimba music with some jazz flavour on top”, the leader suggests. The blend of Layne’s folkloric marimba playing and the jazzier inflections of Jocelyn Waugh’s or JP Carter’s trumpet works nicely throughout nine disparate numbers. Cape Town-based Mapumba Cilombo’s guest vocals enhance the Afro-rhythms of ‘Mapumba Cilombo’; ‘Maracuyá’ is more Caribbean in flavour; the title-track has a distinct Mexican vibe; ‘Tambores Bailando’ and ‘La Rana’ suggest the cumbia scene of today’s Bogotá; and the infectious ‘La Topa’ hints at early Jamaican mento. On the final ‘Solo Con Las Olas’ Layne allows himself space to display his considerable talents.