Why Not

AMG Review of Why Not

Richard S. Ginell
All Music Guide

Paquito D'Rivera's fourth album since his defection from Cuba is a refreshingly eclectic project, roaming all over Latin America, North America and even Belgium for players, sources and inspiration. The leadoff track, "Gdansk," is a tough, bumping electric jazz rallying cry for Lech Walesa and his Polish labor union. "Waltz for Sonny" has a Venezuelan flavor in the rhythm; "Manteca" is another homage to his Afro-Cuban jazz forebears. "Samba for Carmen," an often wild Brazilian salvo, has D'Rivera shining on clarinet and Claudio Roditi contributing some fine trumpet licks. The record is graced by the inimitable harmonica, guitar and whistling of Toots Thielemans; D'Rivera's tune "Brussels In the Rain" is a most comfortable vehicle for the Belgian. Paquito negotiates all of the journey's zigzags with technical ease, humor, eloquence, and more than a little flamboyance.