Dave Valentin - Pied Pipe (1981/2019) {Vocalion}

Dave Valentin at the perfect point in his career – coming off some great initial work on the New York Latin scene, and some key time in the studios – really finding his voice as a leader, with all the best elements of his previous work firmly intact! Dave mixes Latin elements with the soulful fusion sound of the GRP label right in their great early, pre-commercial years – and he gets help here form labelmates Dave Grusin and Bobby Broom, plus Marcus Miller – who all join Dave's combo with a sound that's way hipper than the GRP groove of the smooth fusion years. There's some female chorus vocals at a few points, but also loads of great solo work on flute from Dave – and arrangements are by Valentin, Dave Grusin, and Oscar Hernandez. Titles include "Pied Piper", "Los Altos", "Shamballa", "Dragon Fly", "This Time", and "Seven Stars". CD features bonus 7" mixes of "Pied Piper" and "Shamballa".