PIANO VIRTUOSO MICHEL CAMILO DAZZLES WITH MANO A MANO

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Jazz, Michel Camilo, Piano

GRAMMY®, EMMY® AND TWO-TIME LATIN GRAMMY® AWARD WINNER RETURNS TO HIS TRIO SETTING –
FIRST TRIO PROJECT IN FOUR YEARS

DIGITAL U.S. RELEASE ON JULY 26

PHYSICAL U.S. RELEASE ON SEPTEMBER 13

LISTEN TO EXCLUSIVE STREAMING TRACKS FROM MANO A MANO

Michel Camilo - MANO A MANO

The opening track of Dominican pianist and composer Michel Camilo’s dazzling new release, Mano a Mano as he joins the Decca/EmArcy (Universal Music Group), is not only a scene setter but a declaration of principle. Optimistic, brimming with energy and understated virtuosity, “Yes,” an original composition by Michel, hints at the sound of classic Cubop while celebrating modern Afro-Caribbean jazz. “‘Yes’ is a positive piece,” says Michel. “It’s an affirmation. It’s saying that getting involved in this music, in this project, has been all worthwhile. The piece is in the mold of a ‘Donna Lee,’ or an ‘Indiana,’ and it was a way for us to say ‘Yes, we know the jazz tradition. But we also know something else. And here there are two traditions.'”

In Mano a Mano, Michel Camilo, returns to one of his most effective settings, the trio, but with a twist, using congas and small percussion, instead of trap drums. Featuring longtime friends, master conguero Giovanni Hidalgo and bassist Charles Flores, Michel’s trio creates a lighter, more open sound, still powerful, yet also with a certain sweet mango-flavored lyricism that proves to be a perfect vehicle for a wide ranging repertoire that includes eight original compositions and three standards.

Flux Music [Jazz] Essentials … features [Abbasi, Camilo, Sakésho & Bromberg]

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Andy Narell, Brian Bromberg, Jazz, Michel Camilo, Rez Abassi, Sakésho

Flux Music Essentials

Greeting’s jazz connoisseurs, I’m back with another intriguing palette of creative music from some of today’s most unique, adventurous and inspiring voices known and unknown artists alike in the world of jazz.

Rez Abbasi - Things to Come

Rez Abbasi -][- Things to Come – [Sunnyside Records, 2009]

In recent years we have been able to enjoy the chemistry between guitarist Rez Abassi and sax player Rudresh Mahanthappa in albums such as Abassi’s Bazaar, and Mahanthappa’s Kinsmen. For an even longer time we’ve been able to enjoy the dynamic combo of pianist Vijay Iyer and Mahanthappa. On this album for the first time, we hear all three South Asian all stars together and the results are dazzling. Abassi, Mahnthappa, and Iyer are joined by a stellar rhythm section made up by Johannes Weidenmueller on bass and Dan Weiss on drums. Special guest Kiran Ahluwalia adds her beautiful Indian vocals to tracks 1,2,4, and 6, and Mike Block adds Cello to tracks 2 and 7.

While there are tinges of Indian and Pakastani music throughout this album, Things to Come is first and foremost a modern jazz album in the post bop style. Abassi has obviously put a lot of thought and time into crafting clever songs with many tightly interwoven parts. The mood of the album tends to be dreamlike, reflective and cerebral. It’s easy to let you mind wander as the songs drift from one clever part to another. Abassi, Iyer and Mahanthappa are all great soloist with very different styles and textures. There are great solos throughout and it is fascinating to go from the blasting ferocity of Mahanthappa’s blistering sax solos, to the richly layered thought provoking explorations of Iyer, to the snaking, trance inducing, meanderings of Abassi.

Every song is good on this CD and is a joy to listen to from start to finish. —Scott Williams | Amazon.com

Michel Camilo | Thru My Eyes

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Michel Camilo, Piano

Michel Camilo | Thru My Eyes – [Verve, 1997]

Michel Camilo - Thru My Eyes

I first saw Michel Camilo performing in 2000 in Jerusalem. I was not really sure what to expect since I did not know anything about this musician before the concert, besides that he is playing a “Latino jazz”, and I am not a big fan of Latino music (I am a big fan of piano jazz though). Well, what I found out is that Camilo never plays strait Latino, but incorporates the trend into solid gold jazz crafting. No question – Latino flavor is there, but it makes his music even more exciting. I went looking for his CD the next day after the concert, and I picked the “Thru My Eyes“. That CD officially made me Michel Camilo’s fan. Since then I bought every single CD the pianist released and was never disappointed.

Thru My Eyes does not include any original material on it (as suggested in the title) – but the selection is great, and Michel’s convincing manner of playing really makes you feel like he actually wrote all the tunes. The sound quality is excellent, and bass-drums support is phenomenal. This CD is like a shot of espresso – dense and robust. Highly recommended. —Eugene/Chicago

..:: Source: Amazon.com ::..

Michel Camilo | One More Once

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Jazz, Michel Camilo, Piano

Michel Camilo | One More Once – [Columbia, 1994] – Weekend Spin

Michel Camilo, One More Once

One More Once is quite possibly the easiest recommendation in my entire jazz collection, and that’s saying something. Every track is laced with passion and expression, and beauty. “Why Not?” is in-your-face Latin Jazz at its finest, with a freakishly tight horn section that blows my hair back every time I hear it. “Suite Sandrine” and “Dreamlight” are a welcome reprieve from the intensity of previous tracks, and offer captivating grooves that make the 8+ minutes per song more than welcome.

The second half of the album is a return to upbeat material that’s crisp and engaging, with memorable themes throughout. Michel Camilo shows his brilliance as a musician, composer, and arranger on every track — this CD is quite possibly his finest work. A must-have for any jazz lover. —Mr. Mixer

..:: Source: Amazon.com ::..-