Jazz: Wayne Wallace

The Nature of the Beat ***1/2

"The Nature of the Beat" (Patois) brings together jazz, Latin jazz and rhythm & blues, with Latin rhythms as the unifying force. An ambitious project by San Francisco trombonist, composer, arranger and producer Wayne Wallace, it includes a 13-piece band and 10 vocalists.

Tunes range from the longing Mexican bolero "Besame Mucho" to unlikely choices such as Gerry Mulligan's "Jeru" (immortalized on Miles Davis "Birth of the Cool" album) and George Gershwin's "Fascinatin' Rhythm." Earth, Wind and Fire's funky "Serpentine Fire" is another stretch that works.

Wallace engages us rhythmically -- first and foremost this is dance music -- but also with a shifting array of horn lines, vocals, block horn voicings and percussion. Some of the best horn ensemble writing these days is coming from Latin jazz arrangers such as Marty Sheller and Gary Morgan. Add Wallace to the list.

As a soloist, Wallace projects in bold, expressive phrases -- for example, on "Besame Mucho" -- and always keys into the groove. In fact, such respect for the groove characterizes all the soloists on the album.

In addition to "Besame Mucho," another highlight is "Unchain My Heart," with a soulful vocal in the Ray Charles tradition by Ray Stallings. Then there's Wallace's "No Esta Complicado!," a blend of Cuban styles, swing and bebop -- and a tribute to the origin of Latin jazz.