| Crossroads | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Jerry González |
| Cover: | Crossroads (Jerry González album).jpg |
| Released: | 1994 |
| Label: | Milestone |
| Producer: | Todd Barkan |
| Prev Title: | Moliendo Café |
| Prev Year: | 1991 |
| Next Title: | Pensativo |
| Next Year: | 1995 |
Crossroads is an album by the American musician Jerry González, released in 1994.[1] [2] He is credited with his Fort Apache Band.[3] The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Latin Jazz Performance".[4]
Crossroads was produced by Todd Barkan.[5] Steve Berrios played on the album, as did John Stubblefield.[6] "Lament" is a cover of the J.J. Johnson song; "Fort Apache" is a cover of the Jackie McLean song.[7] "Thelingus" is a tribute to Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, and Charles Mingus.[8]
The Edmonton Journal wrote that the band is "equally adept at diving into bop arrangements, ballads and Afro-Cuban rhythmic patterns with considerable zeal."[9] The Times Colonist called the band "the world's premier Latin jazz group," and praised the "great writing, dynamic soloing ... thoughtful arranging, and fiery rhythmic grounding."[10]
The Toronto Star deemed the album "Afro-Cubop at its best, a live-wire 12 tracks mixing rumba and riff, Western horns with fierce Latin rhythms over constant percussive cutting sessions."[11] The News & Observer praised the "baked-in-coals rhythm section."[12] The Wichita Eagle declared: "Perhaps today's best blend of Afro-Cuban music and jazz, this 15-year-old sextet is stunning as it roars through a varied program."[13]
AllMusic wrote that the band "somewhat de-emphasizes the Latin side of its music in favor of swinging hard bop."