Manhattan Mambo

Manhattan Mambo

ASIN: B000003D3L

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Hilton Ruiz is a talented pianist with a wealth of experience in both the Latin and mainstream jazz idioms. He's also adept at synthesizing the two and has frequently spiced his Latin-based recordings with such adventurous jazz players as Don Cherry and Sam Rivers. On this date he leads a nine-member group that includes four percussionists who generate complex polyrhythms and tremendous musical heat with a battery of assorted drums and bells. A strongly idiomatic front line of trumpeter Charlie Sepulveda, trombonist Papo Vasquez, and the celebrated young tenor saxophonist David Sanchez cooks over the underlying fire, but it's Ruiz himself who stands out with his rhythmic inventiveness. The group even manages to bring another dimension to John Coltrane's "Impressions." --Stuart Broomer

Tracks:

Mambo Numero Cinco
Sure Thing
Michael's Mambo
Home Cookin'
Overtime Mambo
Giovanni Speaks
Impressions
Showtime

Amazon.com

Hilton Ruiz is a talented pianist with a wealth of experience in both the Latin and mainstream jazz idioms. He's also adept at synthesizing the two and has frequently spiced his Latin-based recordings with such adventurous jazz players as Don Cherry and Sam Rivers. On this date he leads a nine-member group that includes four percussionists who generate complex polyrhythms and tremendous musical heat with a battery of assorted drums and bells. A strongly idiomatic front line of trumpeter Charlie Sepulveda, trombonist Papo Vasquez, and the celebrated young tenor saxophonist David Sanchez cooks over the underlying fire, but it's Ruiz himself who stands out with his rhythmic inventiveness. The group even manages to bring another dimension to John Coltrane's "Impressions." --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Good mix of Latin influences and traditional jazz.......2006-08-01

This CD pulses with energy! Ruiz incorporates traditional Afro-Cuban influences into his powerful rhythmic and improvisational jazz style. Along with David Sanchez on tenor saxophone and Sepulveda on trumpet, Ruiz pulls out all the stops on "Mambo Numero Cinco" - a piece frequently heard in Cuban-American weddings and gatherings. "Michael's Mambo" showcases Ruiz's rapid-fire improvisational style on the piano. Afro-Cuban influences carry "Giovanni Speaks." Less distinct are "Home Cookin'" and "Overtime Mambo" which seem like watered down swing and have a kitschy Sim City-type feel. Overall, this is an excellent CD to showcase Hilton Ruiz's unique style and incredible musical ability.

Jazz Music:

Jazz Music

Jazz Music