with special guests:

Salsamba! announce the Latin jazz group's long-awaited third release, called "Latinventions".The recording features more of the fiery rhythms, lyrical melodies and sensational improvisation that has made the band's previous work so popular. Latin rhythms such as the mambo, cha-cha, samba and bomba keep the music sparkling. The quintet features Eric Susoeff on guitar, George Jones on congas, Rich Loose on bass, John Rampolla, drums and Eric DeFade on saxophone and flute. While remaining true to Salsamba's musical origins, Latinventions explores another side of the group. Most of the tunes on this CD are precisely orchestrated. Salsamba's spicy palette of colors and textures is complimented by superb performances on the cello, vocals, piano, trombone and flugelhorn. These fresh arrangements by the band showcase the talents of several special guests, including vocalist Maureen Budway, Steve Hawk on flugelhorn, Duquesne University Director of Jazz Studies Mike Tomaro, pianist Max Leake, trombonist Jay Ashby and Pittsburgh Symphony cellist Lou Lowenstein.

"Latinventions" combines six original compositions with five tunes that have become standards in the lexicon of American and Brazilian jazz. Cover tunes include "What Is This Thing Called Love", "Brasil", "Manha de Carnival" and "Guarabe". Original tunes by Eric Susoeff and John Rampolla round out the recording.The title track, "Latinventions", is a spicy mambo written by Eric Susoeff and arranged for three horns. Another original, "Frackville", is an irresistible cha-cha, which was written in a laundromat while the band passed through the small Pennsylvania town by the same name. "Brasil" features outstanding performances by special guests Maureen Budway, Max Leake, Jay Ashby and Lou Lowenstein. The band explores its quieter side with the bluesy, evocative melodies of "Rue St. Paul", which features a four horn arrangement. Things heat up again with the salsafied original "Fiesta Latina" and its burning flute solo. The guitar solo on this tune offers an unusual use of space and uncommon choices of chords and rhythms that perfectly complement the genre. At the core of Salsamba's power is its percussion section. "Mano Caro" is a percussion tour-de-force leading into the next cut, "Guarabe" written by Clare Fischer. This funky, polyrhythmic number is named after a cactus. Susoeff turns to the nylon-stringed guitar to caress the romantic mood of "Manha de Carnival," another standard found on this CD. An energetic Mozambique rhythm is used to latinize Cole Porter's "What Is This Thing Called Love."Eric DeFade and Rich Loose shine on their solos.