Album Review: Cuerno Exotica from Ken Wiley
Album Review: Cuerno Exotica from Ken Wiley Label: Krugpark Music Website: www.kenwiley.com Cuban jazz elements flavor a handful of classic standards and originals on Ken Wiley's new release Cuerno Exotica from Krugpark Music label. Wiley's French horn takes centerstage as he shows that the understated instrument is plenty vibrant to hold up solos that hypnotize the listener. He certainly proves as much on his new release as he traverses through a plethora of narratives from soothing island-imbued atmospheres to tingling jungle-infused tempests. The exotic swivels of the French horn laced along Maurice Ravel's "Bolera" garb the classic number in sparkling accents over its rhythmic cadence, brandishing a Caribbean radiance. The tousling exchange between Wiley's horn and his bandmates ferment a playful interaction that is aurally stimulating. Moving forward, the warm tones of "Cariló," which shares its name with a beach resort in Argentina,...