DAFNIS PRIETO & Si O Si QUARTET

3 SIDES OF THE COIN

Dafnison Music

Dafnis Prieto, drums/composer/arranger; Martin Bejerano, piano; Ricky Rodriguez, electric bass; Peter Apfelbaum, soprano & tenor saxophones/flute.

All the compositions and arrangements on this album are by the group drummer, Dafnis Prieto, who is also the Si o Si Musical Conductor.  The Spanish group name, Si o Si translates to “Yes or Yes.”

On this premier tune, “Coprichos Cubanas,” Martin Bejerano’s piano solo is modern and imaginative.  It changes the groove and complexion of this arrangement in a very smart way.  Prieto is always right there, holding the rhythm and slapping the groove into place. The arrangement reminds me of a ticking clock. The bassist keeps that tick-tock groove going, while Bejerano improvises on piano. A little over mid-way through, Peter Apfelbaum enters on his tenor saxophone while the piano plays a staccato, ‘tick-tock’ sounding rhythm-section-line once again. At the tail end of the song, the piano plunks a continuing, repetitive chord. Prieto begins his dynamic drum solo, but that rambunctious chord sounds like a car alarm going off during the drum improvisation.  It was very distracting.

Prieto is celebrated as “one of the most multidimensional artists working today,” quoted by Jazz Times magazine.  “3-Sides of the Coin” is his tenth album release. One of my favorites on this project is “Two Sides of a Coin” where the group taps into Straight-ahead jazz, to give free reins to the Si o Si quartet members and introduce them to the listeners. The pianist, Bejerano, is a very creative improviser.  I like the way Prieto uses his drums to accentuate various breaks and phrases during these arrangements.

This album is a reunion of sorts.  Formerly, they had an album release titled “Live at Jazz Standard NYC.”

Clearly these players are all talented and technically astute.  Prieto’s composition, “Naïve” follows. It’s a ballad.  Then, a funky Latin beat introduces “Humanoid” with the Ricky Rodriguez bassline pumping up the rhythm section. Berjerano sparkles with energy on the piano, followed by Apfelbaum’s saxophone solo with wild improvisation. Then comes Prieto’s drum solo full of spark and fire. This is what I was waiting for! They continue this fusion of Latin and modern jazz, with the tune “Funky Humanoid.” One thing that is constant is the counterpoint melodies between horn and piano.  Always with the imaginative drums of Dafnis Prieto spreading the rhythm all over the place.  His compositions are rich with rhythms, unexpected breaks, and staccato piano rhythm lines. I enjoyed the electric bass solo of Rodriquez on “Albo.”  On Prieto’s composition “Temptation” he showcases mad drum technique and tenacity. This drummer and bandleader has a clear vision of who he is musically.  It reflects in his style and musical personality that permeates every song he has composed. This album will be available to the public on September 27, 2024.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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