Calle 54

Starring: Paquito D'Rivera, Gato Barbieri

Directed by: Fernando Trueba

RS: Not Rated

2000 Foreign

Calle 54, a glorious Latin jazz documentary from Oscar-winning Spanish director Fernando Trueba (Belle Epoque), stands with Wim Wenders' The Buena Vista Social Club as a landmark musical tribute. Whether it's the late Tito Puente on timbales, Gato Barbieri on tenor sax, a barefoot Eliane Elias on piano or Jerry Gonz lez on fluegelhorn and congas, the sound is pure, resonant and transporting. Sexy, too. This is one summer movie with real sizzle.

PETER TRAVERS
RS870