Jacki Bee Tee

Charles Bobo Shaw playing "Jacki Bee Tee," which sounds suspiciously close to Willie Bobo's "Haitian Lady." Of course, "Jacki Bee Tee" is more interesting, mainly because of Charles Bobo Shaw's ties to the free jazz and avant-garde scene, as well as his relationship with creative black jazz circles out of St. Louis. The bassist is on fire.

Haitian Lady

I've always loved me some Willie Bobo, whose music bridged the gap between jazz, Latin jazz and soul. "Haitian Lady," composed by an African-American, Harold Ousley, owes everything about it to Cuban music and Latin jazz, though some Haitian influence in Cuban music has been noted by many. What I love about this piece is the two drummers keeping things interesting with a Cuban mambo/cha-cha and the soaring saxophonist whose horn blows triumphantly. Also, Richard Davis apparently played bass on this? What more could you ask for? Brilliant combo group, nice flourishes on the guitar, spirited polyrhythms from Bobo and Victor Panoja. Also, much better than Montego Joe's version, which is far too slow and lacking the rhythmic thrusts and energy of Bobo.