From Amazon.com
Pat Martino has certainly had more than his share of ups and downs: after establishing himself as one of jazz's outstanding guitarists and a major influence on such younger players as Pat Metheny, he suffered a brain tumor that forced him to relearn the instrument. Now that he has come all the way back, it's even more interesting to see where he started with
El Hombre, his 1967 debut as a leader. A Philadelphian, Martino worked steadily in the organ combos so popular in the region's jazz clubs, earning his bones as a sideman for Jack McDuff, Richard "Groove" Holmes and Don Patterson, and this date reflects that background, with organist Trudy Pitts serving as Martino's primary foil. As its title suggests,
El Hombre has a decidedly Latin tinge, employing flute, conga, and bongo for a soulful bossa sound that, while currently out of vogue, proves remarkably winning. From the opening "Waltz for Geri," Martino establishes himself as a confidently swinging yet breezily relaxed player, and turns in some of his best performances on the title cut and the extended "A Blues for Mickey-O." For guitar fans unfamiliar with Martino's work,
El Hombre is a revelation.
--Fred Goodman
Album Details
Japanese only SHM-CD (Super High Material CD - playable on all CD players) pressing. Universal. 2008.
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