The deluxe reissue of Cinnamon Flower by tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse’s features his understated lyricism while highlighting its new sparkle amid Brazilian-jazz textures and fresh alternate takes. The remastered, expanded edition brings to light nearly thirty minutes of previously unissued versions plus a bonus composition, all drawn from the original sessions engineered by George Klabin. The ensemble features pianist Dom Salvador and guitarist Amaury Tristão, who also handled much of the arranging, alongside trumpeter Claudio Roditi, bassist Ron Carter, and drummers Portinho and Bernard Purdie forming a rhythm section of impeccable balance. Trombonist Clifford Adams, flutist Lou Orenstein, electric pianist Albert Dailey, guitarists Ted Dunbar and George Davis, cellists Jesse Levy and Ulysses Kirksey, bassist Wilbur Bascomb, and percussionists Carlos Martinez and Steve Thornton bring additional texture and color. With most of the compositions by Salvador and Tristão, the music balances melodic subtlety and rhythmic vitality, on an album that bridges jazz and Brazilian sensibility, offering both historical insight and pure listening pleasure.
