George Shearing – Latin Lace / Latin Affair

George Shearing – Latin Lace / Latin Affair

George Shearing – Latin Lace / Latin Affair brings together two classic albums from the celebrated British-born jazz pianist's George Shearing Quintet: Latin Lace, originally released in 1958, and Latin Affair, originally released in 1959. This 24-track EMI compilation combines Shearing's sophisticated piano-led jazz with Latin rhythms, Afro-Cuban percussion, mambo and cool-jazz influences.

Latin Lace opens the collection with the beautifully melodic “The Story Of Love (Historia De Un Amor)”, followed by “Serenata,” “Tu Mi Delirio,” “Cali Mambo” and “Mambo Caribe.” Even familiar standards such as “To The Ends Of The Earth,” “The Moon Was Yellow” and “It's Not For Me To Say” are transformed through Shearing's Latin-inflected arrangements. The quintet's distinctive sound is enhanced by percussionist Armando Peraza, alongside Shearing's piano, Toots Thielemans on guitar, Al McKibbon on bass, Emil Richards on vibraphone and Percy Brice on drums.

The second half, Latin Affair, continues the formula with a mixture of jazz standards and original material. “All Or Nothing At All,” “Let's Call The Whole Thing Off,” “It's Easy To Remember” and “You Stepped Out Of A Dream” sit alongside the distinctly Latin pieces “Afro No. IV,” “Estampa Cubana,” “Mambo Balahu” and “Juana Palangana.” The closing “This Is Africa” adds another international dimension to an album that demonstrates just how naturally Shearing incorporated musical influences from beyond the traditional jazz repertoire.

Shearing's classic quintet sound is particularly appealing to listeners looking for Latin jazz, Afro-Cuban jazz, mambo, cool jazz and sophisticated mid-century lounge music. These two albums also illustrate an important period in Shearing's career, when his quintet was successfully combining the precision and elegance of modern jazz with the rhythmic energy of Latin American music.

This 24-track EMI CD edition, released in 1998, presents both albums together for a total of around an hour of music, making it an excellent introduction to one of the most distinctive strands of George Shearing's 1950s catalogue.

Tracklist

Latin Lace — originally released 1958

1. The Story Of Love (Historia De Un Amor) – 2:29
2. Serenata – 2:44
3. Tu Mi Delirio – 2:04
4. Cali Mambo – 2:49
5. Rondo – 2:51
6. To The Ends Of The Earth – 2:44
7. The Moon Was Yellow (And The Night Was Young) – 2:40
8. Wonder Struck – 2:32
9. Sand In My Shoes – 2:07
10. Mambo Caribe – 2:58
11. It's Not For Me To Say – 1:49
12. Mambo No. 2 – 2:44

Latin Affair — originally released 1959
13. All Or Nothing At All – 2:53
14. Let's Call The Whole Thing Off – 1:55
15. Afro No. IV – 2:31
16. Magic – 2:18
17. It's Easy To Remember – 2:09
18. Estampa Cubana – 2:56
19. You Stepped Out Of A Dream – 2:10
20. Mambo Balahu – 2:24
21. Dearly Beloved – 2:14
22. Juana Pelangana – 2:26
23. This Is Africa – 2:59
24. Anywhere – 2:42