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It is a rare and exciting day when you hear a musician of the calibre of Eddie Palmieri in concert. One of the founding fathers of New York salsa and a great innovator in the Latin jazz of the 1970s, Palmieri brought his Afro-Carribean All-Stars to New Morning in Paris last Friday, and they blew the roof off.

Eddie Palmieri, Concert Pique-Nique, Reims France, 17.07.2010. Image: Eulsteph

Two hours of music stretched out over a pair of sets, suffused with humour and generosity. It was hard to suppress a giggle when Palmieri threw a quote from Salt Peanuts into one of his famously overblown solo passages. The grinning complicity between Palmieri and his bass player, Luques “Salsa” Curtis was evident throughout the gig.

Brian Lynch, Concert Pique-Nique, Reims France, 17.07.2010. Image: Eulsteph

The presence of trumpeter Brian Lynch in the touring band was a particular pleasure – an incredibly technically accomplished player, Lynch has been a regular collaborator with Palmieri since 1987, and directed the Grammy-winning album Simpàtico in 2006.

The music traversed Palmieri’s jazz catalogue (including tunes from Simpàtico and 1990′s Palmas) and included a steaming Latin version of Monk’s In Walked Bud, a nod to one of Palmieri’s own stylistic influences on the piano.

Palmieri apologised that the band wouldn’t be playing his salsa hits (Vamonos pa l’Monte, Cuidate Compay…), because of a lack of vocalists in the group. But with the energy on show last Friday, nobody went home disappointed. This is a gig I’ll remember for a long time.

Lewis Taylor: Stoned (Hacktone)

I first heard Lewis Taylor this year, and it’s become increasingly clear to me that this bloke from north London is a complete genius. Monster guitar chops, a falsetto to hang your hat on, great soul songs and killer arrangements. And for all his talent, Lewis Taylor never shies away from laying down the cheesiest pop moments – check out the transition to a the house groove at 2:20+ on Absolutely Beautiful – and we forgive him because it’s so right. Thanks to ianB (lately of Amen Horn and blogs elsewhere) for the introduction.

Brian Lynch: Simpatico (Artist Direct)

I’m pretty sure that matt would agree with putting this album on the list – check out his recent post on the Brian Lynch-Eddie Palmieri project. Simpatico has recently been nominated for a Latin Grammy, and it deserves all the plaudits (and sales) it can get. It’s a little ripper of a latin jazz record that doesn’t put a foot wrong. A video of the recording session is on YouTube.