Ritmo Caliente
Years ago, theNuyoricanpianist/bandleader Eddie Palmieri christened  himself "the Sun of Latin Music," and with the recent deaths of Mongo  Santamaria and Tito Puente, his claim to that title today is unchallenged.  This CD, which translates as "Hot Rhythm," harkens back to the two-trombone  frontline he pioneered in the 1960s with his legendary La Perfecta ensemble.  Trombonists Conrad Herwig and Renaldo Jorge make up the frontline with  ex-Art Blakey Jazz Messenger trumpeter Brian Lynch. Percussionist José  "Cochi" Claussell, drummer Robert Ameen, and bassist Joe Santiago provide the  punch behind these tunes in the classic, salsa-friendly Afro-Cuban  tempo and mode. Palmieri's percussive pianisms swing with a groove that  propels both Latin and jazz rhythms. On "Gigue (Bach Goes Batá)," Palmieri  fuses J.S. Bach with Afro-derivedbatádrumming, while  "Grandpa Semi-Tone Blues" is a catchy Antillean blues number.  Palmieri's  Thelonious Monk-like piano style is extremely percussive, and in his hands the  instrument becomes 88 well-tuned hand drums.--Eugene Holley, Jr.