Two Of Swords

Recorded at two separate sessions on September 24 and 25, 1990, this album finds Claudio Roditi leading two separate groups. One of them, which he calls a Brazilian Quintet, employs trombonist Jay Ashby, pianist Edward Simon, bassist Nilson Matta and drummer Dudaka Fonseca-the other, which he calls a Jazz Quartet, includes pianist Danilo Perez, bassist David Finck and drummer Akira Tana. Both groups serve Roditi well, and both of them are hard bop-oriented. The main difference between the two, apart from personnel, is the fact that the Brazilian Quintet is more overtly Brazilian-influenced. The Brazilian Quintet is still playing hard bop, but it's hard bop that is more consistently mindful of the samba beat that Roditi was surrounded by growing up in Rio de Janeiro.