El Hombre
El Hombre introduces a young Pat Martino who already understands how to develop a melody. His guitar moves quickly, but the lines stay clear and purposeful. Trudy Pitts' organ gives the music a warm foundation. Flute and additional percussion add a lighter, more colourful sound than a basic guitar-and-rhythm arrangement would provide.
Waltz For Geri puts Martino forward immediately. The extended guitar passage contains plenty of ideas while Pitts' chords help everything stay together. The solo does not need to become louder or thicker to progress. Martino connects quick passages to the melody, keeping the music controlled.
Once I Loved brings in a Latin rhythm. Congas and bongos maintain an easy movement, with the organ adding small changes of colour. Martino can play freely without losing contact with the backing. The title track then has an inviting organ introduction before Danny Turner's flute becomes more prominent. Guitar and flute give the melody an individual character.
Cisco also benefits from that line-up. The instruments share the melodic line while drums and percussion keep the piece lively. On One For Rose, Martino shows how much movement he can fit into a compact guitar phrase. His technique continues to serve the song.
The setting does have a strong 1960s flavour. Soft organ, flute and Latin rhythms can initially seem rather easy-going. Closer attention reveals more detail than that comfortable surface suggests. El Hombre works because Martino avoids using his speed and ideas to fill every space. It is an accessible debut with enough character to make its smaller movements worth following.
