Jazz Hands

Pianist Hilton Ruiz has had a very successful career in both jazz and Latin music. On this Tropijazz release, he combines the two styles to form a very likable brand of Latin jazz. Ruiz utilizes such sidemen as Tito Puente (playing vibes or timbales on three songs), flutist Dave Valentin, tenor saxophonist David Sanchez, trumpeter Charlie Sepulveda, trombonist Papo Vasquez, bassist Andy Gonzalez and three notable percussionists (Giovanni Hidalgo, Ignacio Berroa and Steve Berrios) for Latinized versions of four jazz standards and five group originals (including three by Ruiz). The music is quite catchy, danceable and reasonably challenging.

A fine soloist who was influenced by Bill Evans but had his own musical identity, Warren Bernhardt appeared in many different settings through the years. He studied classical piano, played in Chicago while attending college, and was with Paul Winter's sextet between 1961 and 1964. After moving to New York, Bernhardt played with Gerry Mulligan, Clark Terry, George Benson, and Jeremy Steig, in addition to doubling as a studio musician on many pop dates. He was with Jack DeJohnette's Directions (1976) and Steps Ahead (1984-1985), and frequently led his own trios. Bernhardt also recorded several fine dates for DMP. Warren Bernhardt died on August 19, 2022 at the age of 83.

Fire! - The Hands (2018) {Rune Grammofon RCD2197 Official Digital Download}
FLAC (tracks) - 16bit/44kHz - Official Digital Download -> 231 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 87 Mb | Cover | 5% repair rar
© 2018 Rune Grammofon | RCD2197
Jazz / Rock / Free Improvisation / Jazz Rock / Noise / Dark Jazz

For 20 years Rune Grammofon have made a habit of releasing music that is beyond easy classification, in later years typified by Swedish trio Fire!, consisting of Mats Gustafsson, Johan Berthling and Andreas Werliin. All three are highly accomplished musicians, but Fire! music is not "difficult" in the sense that jazz and especially free jazz is often perceived. Very much a tight knit unit with three equal players, Fire! has been likened to powerful guitar led trios such as Cream and The Jimi Hendrix Experience, but with Berthling´s heavy, doom laden basslines being such a typical identifier, we can´t help but thinking of Black Sabbath´s debut album when it comes to hypnotic impact.

This is one of the most ambitious albums I have run across. The only instrument on it other than bass guitar is voice.This is an album from the heart of a thinking and feeling human, who has so much to give. I was skeptical for about 20 seconds, then I was hooked into it.Put it on and open up to the music.

Another typically wonderful LP of Ella Fitzgerald in her prime, Fitzgerald is joined by pianist Lou Levy, guitarist Herb Ellis, bassist Joe Mondragon, and drummer Stan Levey. Fitzgerald is in fine form on such numbers as "A Night in Tunisia," an emotional "You're My Thrill," "Jersey Bounce," and "Clap Hands! Here Comes Charlie." Although not reaching the heights of her live performances, this is an excellent (and somewhat underrated) set.