by Tony Wilds
The true test of any Hammond organist, for all time, is how well he or she measures up on Latin and Brazilian tunes. Thank Ethel Smith and Walter Wanderley for that; otherwise it might still be polkas and &Skaters' Waltz.& Süd Americana 3 (Latin Festival) delivers the goods and then some. First, there are 14 tracks, so delete a couple of dogs -- if you can find any -- and you'll still have a great standard dozen. &Latin Hustle& is an interesting disco novelty, and &Baia& turns back the clock further to the age of exotica. Probably no one needs to be told that the killer cuts are the sambas, however. The use of Moog on some of these is welcome, although more of the wacky Wunderlich inventiveness would have been nice. &One Note Samba& risks a bit more, perhaps because of the Perrey-Kingsley Moog precedent. Another way to look at this album is as one that takes in all periods of the man's work. Several tunes are remakes or versions of tunes performed also on his Wersi organ demonstration albums. In any case, Latin Festival finds the master at his peak and at play, and what a joy it is.