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Notes on the tunes – The Spanish Tinge – Ben Winkelman Trio

1. Hurtling Towards The Grave is based on a baiao, a Brazilian rhythm. I wanted to write something like Stone Flower by Jobim, but it came out differently. I’m still not sure if I’m serious or joking about the very sombre and pessimistic sounding title. Maybe a bit of both. I’m still a little young for a mid-life crisis (only 34), but maybe not too young to be a little bit philosophical.

2. The More Complex Needs of the Northern Soul – influenced by Cuban music, and composed in 2 sections – a slow salsa section in 7-4 and a danzon section in 4-4. The 7-4 section has a special clave (or rhythmic cell) adapted for 7-4 time. 4-4 claves are grouped as 2-3 or 3-2, this one is grouped 2-3-3-2. The bass and drums trade improvised phrases over the 7-4 section and the piano solo is over the 4-4 section.
The title comes from a Thomas Mann short story - Mario and the Magician, where the narrator (who is German...