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. Recommended to fans of Latin-jazz. ~ Scott Yanow