Sacbé - Selva Tucanera (1978 Mexico Fusion, Latin Jazz)Full Album

The Toussaint brothers formed Sacbé in 1976, one of the most representative groups in the history of Mexican jazz, and forged new paths in Mexican national music. About the album: Selva Tucanera is the second full-length album by the Toussaint brothers' jazz fusion group. Musically, it continues the sound presented on their first album, which, like their debut, was released independently—a remarkable feat in the Mexican jazz scene, which was struggling to make strides in a challenging landscape. Like all their albums, it boasts an exceptionally high level of performance and composition, comparable to the international jazz fusion scene, which helped them establish themselves as the most important band of the genre in Mexico. "Los camiones de Medellín" is an excellent introductory track, with its rhythm and dynamism influenced by funk and Latin music, where each instrument is given its space to perform its solo. In "Floresta," their sound is darker, at times closer to a ballad, but still experimenting with a hypnotic atmosphere where the synthesizer is a constant presence, its notes mimicking birdsong. The title track, "Selva Tucanera," is the album's gem, featuring constant shifts in rhythm and tempo, and a collection of magnificent melodies driven primarily by the wind instruments and keyboards. This is all made possible by the perfect cohesion of the bass and drums. "Haití" boasts a full horn section reminiscent of the sound and influence of jazz big bands (very popular in the 1930s and 40s), though here with a more contemporary sound. This is evident in the band's strong rock influence, particularly in the power and energy of the drums and bass. And, of course, there's their Latin touch in the percussion and certain bass lines and melodies. With "Agua de arrecife" (Reef Water), they return to their more cinematic style, with melodies of long notes and a constant sound like flowing water. The music maintains a mostly soft sound in which the instruments color this peaceful atmosphere like a soundscape of coral reefs. This piece is dedicated to Wayne Shorter. "Euterpe" is the Muse of music in Greek mythology, especially the protector of the art of playing the flute. Here, she inspires a piece with great dynamism and rhythmic changes similar to "Selva Tucanera" (Toucan Jungle), although exploring minor keys a bit more and alternating moods. All compositions are by Eugenio Toussaint, and the album liner notes state that the record is dedicated to the band Weather Report, especially to Josef Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, and Jaco Pastorius, for their immense inspiration. 1. The Trucks of Medellín 00:00 2. Floresta 04:05 3. Toucan Jungle 09:36 4. Haiti 15:20 5. Reef Water 19:16 6. Euterpe 24:45 Lineup: - Eugenio Toussaint / pianos, synthesizers - Enrique Toussaint / electric bass - Fernando Toussaint / drums and percussion - Alejandro Campos / saxophone Guests: Daniel Benítez / percussion Humberto Flores / trumpet Ángel Espinoza / trumpet Renato Menconi / saxophone Marco Espinoza / saxophone Yuri Chargoy / trombone Manuel Garnica / trombone