Boston Rodriguez: The President is Dead, Long Live Boston Rodriguez

Herald rating: * * * *

Stepping up several gears is Boston Rodriguez, a one-man speed salsa band packing a promising CV.

He's a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, has served time on LTJ Bukem's acclaimed Cookin label, and is now doing bi'ness with Bugz in the Attic. Here he's all growed up and out on his own with The President is Dead, Long Live Boston Rodriguez.

It's a mission to focus through the whole thing, but still Live @ Fillet of Soul '77 is brass bliss powered along by some too cool for school upright bass and BR's central motif, damn busy drums.

Play Good may become a standard text for drum programmers, but the lights turn jazz bar red for Evolution, which has Quantic Soul Orchestra all over it. Did I mention the drums?

Label: Little League