Search - Hilton Ruiz :: Enchantment

HILTON RUIZ CASTS SPELL WITH ARABESQUE CD "Enchantment"

Dan Kassell | New York, NY United States | 09/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For pianist Hilton Ruiz "ENCHANTMENT" is a quick time, fast paced, complex exciting composition filled with mystery. That's how the title track on Arabesque Jazz (AJ0157) begins Mr. Ruiz personal journey of musical friends and employers throughout the last thirty years. Ted Panken's insert notes report those influences from Mary Lou Williams to Jimmy Heath, Monk, Joe Henderson, Rahsaan Roland Kirk and quote Hilton Ruiz, "Making people feel good, putting on a great show and still playing valid beautiful music is what it's all about." Many, like myself, discovered Hilton Ruiz in 1977 a Chico Freeman sidemen on "Beyond the Rain" (Contemporary). "Chico's playing transcends the ordinary, Ruiz says. As a listener, he captivates me, takes me to a spiritual level. It's forward motion with him. He's always searching and looking." Here Chico Freeman is heard on three Hilton Ruiz originals "I'll Call You Later" - a blues that he makes swing after Lyle Atkinson sets it up with a bass solo. "Sweet Cherry Pie" - a boogaloo groove with added cha-cha conga by Renato Thoms and drummer Marlon Simon that they continue on "Home Cookin'" interrupted for a second by an exciting squeal of delight, reminiscent of the loft jazz scene, leading into the most memorable tenor solo. Then on the next track Hilton's memories of Rahsaan inspire Chico to blow away the blues on Kirk's "The Business Ain't Nothin' But the Blues". After listening to twelve tracks ecorded November 6 & 7, 2000
by Lou Holtzman at his Loho Studios, NYC I implore you to seek out Hilton Ruiz wherever he's at and learn more about our jazz heritage. Dan Kassell, 8/28/03Track Listing: 1. Seven Steps to Heaven (2:11); 2. Enchantment (7:12); 3. I'll Call You Later (4:29); 4. Sweet Cherry Pie (6:46); 5. Gemini (4:56); 6. Black Narcissus (6:08); 7. Shades of Thelonius (4:08); 8. My Little Brown Book (3:39); 9. Silhouette (5:04); 10. Goodbye (3:14); 11. Home Cookin' (3:29); 12. The Business Ain't Nothing But the Blues (4:43)Personnel: Hilton Ruiz: piano; Lisle Atkinson: bass; Renato Thoms: percussion, conga; Marlon Simon: drums. Special guest: Chico Freeman: tenor saxophone."

Talent and song selection make for good listening

Steve Emerine | Tucson, AZ United States | 12/01/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Perhaps because I'm a 60+ Anglo male, I have trouble getting excited over many of the jazz CDs issued by Arabesque Recordings. "Enchantment" by Hilton Ruiz is a very pleasant exception. It's excellent! "Seven Steps to Heaven" by Victor Feldman and Miles Davis kicks off the album, followed by three Ruiz compositions. Then the Ruiz originals are scattered among tunes by Jimmy Heath, Joe Henderson, Billy Strayhorn and Rahsaan Roland Kirk, with Gordon Jenkins' "Goodbye" stirred in for good measure. The choice of songs gives Ruiz a chance to show his considerable talent, making for 56+ minutes of great listening."