TONY MARINO: “A SOUND INVESTMENT” – THE QUINTESSENTIAL LATIN JAZZ KEYBOARDIST
Composer, pianist, and musical leader Tony Marino released his brand new full-length album entitled, “A Sound Investment”, on February 15, 2017. The CD contains 10 original Jazz compositions written in the following styles: Samba, Frevo, Baiao, Calypso, Tango, Swing, Funk, Rock, and World music. To date, Marino has released 8 original albums. “Music is my life, my world, and I am thrilled to be releasing my ninth studio album for my loyal listeners and newcomers to the international Jazz scene,” said Marino. “There’s no better way for humans across the world to connect than through shared passions and understanding of musical expression and interpretation.”
“A Sound Investment’s” track list includes: Everything is Rosie, We’re Moving Back, Baiao Rhythms, Gene & Stella, Casa Nova Samba, Don’t Look At Me That Way, Pradeep & Neera, Frevo For You, Goleta, and The Hippest Doc In Town. Tony Marino , as usual,does it again. He is one artist I anticipate his next project to be launched. A very solid keyboardist who I admire greatly for his broad knowledge of chords and progressions that is contemporary yet very tasteful and timely.
A strong rhythmic vibe enriched by beautiful choice of chords and his signature runs or licks that seals the deal. Tony Marino is becoming the quintessential Latin jazz keyboardist for his era. Marino’s synth programming and keyboard playing are very groovy and likely to have your head nodding to the tunes. I played it on repeat a few times when I heard it the first time, and then stopped because I do not want this stuff to get old!
An established and reputable brand is a very valuable thing: people quickly associate Apple, Ferrari and Dom Pérignon with quality, and feel confident that they are very likely to get among the best whenever they purchase something from these marques just from the name because those names have consistently delivered time and time again.
This often applies to music, as well. And within the realm of Latin-inspired jazz, enthusiasts of that idiom can easily look to a purveyor of fine, groovy and rhythmic jazz led by keyboard wizard Tony Marino, whose brand delivers time after time.
Notwithstanding the fact that Marino dropped his first album in 1977, he sounds fresh and has never in my humble opinion sounded more contemporary than what he sounds like on “A Sound Investment”. I’m sure you’ve read all the other reviews which go on about the artist, the album, the context, the track breakdowns, blah, blah.
But here you are reading this one. Stop now and buy the album. Immediately kick out your friends, kids, pets, whatever. Plunk yourself down and listen to this wonderful record. I’m sure you’ve come to think you have a pretty nice music collection. Whatever criteria you measure it by, Tony Marino will make it better.
His compositions are terrific, but his arrangements are even better. These tracks flow from top to bottom with a gentle but insistent energy, as Marino and his ensemble take on a host of Latin rhythms improvising daring and robust solos over the top.
But don’t be alarmed these tunes are designed to soothe rather than challenge the listener. Tony Marino’s unwavering commitment to Latin Jazz, results in some of his strongest songs in years, as “A Sound Investment” exhibits his expertise on the electric piano and various synths.