Universal Music 20th Century Masters (series)

The Best of Gato Barbieri

Product Description:

Personnel: Gato Barbieri (vocals, saxophone); David Spinozza, Eric Gale, Joe Beck (guitar); Jon Faddis (trumpet, flugelhorn); Don Grolnick (keyboards, synthesizer); Gary King (bass guitar); Lenny White (drums); Mtume, Paulinho Da Costa, Ralph MacDonald (percussion).

Liner Note Author: A. Scott Galloway.

Recording information: 1976 - 1978.

Argentinean saxophonist and songwriter Gato Barbieri has led a long, varied career. He is well known for his avant-garde jazz, and, conversely, for his lighter, pop style. This best-of collection highlights Barbieri's funkier side, culling tracks from albums made in the mid-to-late 1970s.

"Poinciana (Song of the Tree)" is one of this disc's high points. Combining a disco groove with rich orchestrations (including sweeping harp glissandos), this tune is a superb period dance track. Stevie Wonder's "Ngiculela-Es Una Historia (I Am Singing)" is similar, but the groove on this song is more akin to a Brazilian samba. Most of these tracks are celebratory, as best exemplified by "Fiesta." On this piece, Barbieri adds some resplendent keyboard washes into the mix, and then spices things up further by adding punchy brass figures. Throughout the album, Barbieri's tenor sax playing is brimming with energy, and his tone is typically rough-hewn and powerful. Highly arranged and intensely rhythmic, this is fiery, romantic, sensual music.