Usually known for his piano pyrotechnics in a trio setting, Michel Camilo returns to some of his original pieces in a muscular big band format, boasting a lineup that includes Antonio Hart, Michael Dease and Steve Davis.
Camilo and company mix Afro-Cuban grooves with some fun bop sounds, the latter being displayed on the wild “Repercussions” (with hip solos by Hart, Davis and the leader) as well as the sizzling “Yes” that mixes Diego Urcola’s Dizzying trumpet with Cliff Almond’s drums and Eliel Lazo’s percolating percussion. There’s also a glorious romantic “Just Like You” that have Hart and Camilo creating sensuous sounds, while the leader and Dease saunter on the dance floor during the smoky “Piece of Cake.” The rest of the material is big, beefy and upbeat, with some wonderful earthy folk vocals by Lazo on “Mongo’s Blues” and the horn sections creating an avalanche during “Liquid Crystal” and the restless “On Fire.” It’s Cruise Night with this session!