Archive for the ‘Charles Flores’ Category
Michel Camilo – Live At The Blue Note (2003 – Telarc)
Although he’s ventured into classical, world beat and film music in the past, Camilo is a jazz artist at heart. On his new two-disc Telarc release, recorded live during a six-night run at the Blue Note last year, the Dominican-born pianist is joined by a first-rate Cuban rhythm section of Charles Flores on bass and Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez on drums. Together, they stretch out on a set of mostly Camilo originals (plus Kenny Dorham’s “Blue Bossa” and a clever take on the ’50s Latin rock standard “Tequila”) that clocks in at 2 hours and 15 minutes; but the energy and momentum of the recording rarely sags, save for a few too many ballads bunched together at the top of the first disc.
Camilo, who performed at last month’s IAJE Conference, is at his most dazzling on the up-tempo numbers, like “On the Other Hand,” “In Walked Sammy,” “This Way Out,” and the aptly titled “On Fire,” which combine Latin jazz, bebop, blues and funk ingredients into a tasty organic stew. His artistry also shines on the slower tunes, like “Twilight Glow” and “Thinking of You,” where his classical sensibilities come to the fore. Taken as a whole, Camilo and company have made what is easily one of the best piano trio albums to come along in a while.
Joel Roberts (All About Jazz)
Original Release Date: August 26, 2003 – Label: Telarc
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Part 1 Part 2 (Listen for once, delete then buy CD)