Customer Reviews

Spirit of the Moment

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I recently saw the Michel Camilo Trio at the International Jazz Festival in Bern, Switzerland. They performed some songs from the new album, including a debut performance of Liquid Crystal. It was literally BREATHTAKING!

Look forward to a tour-de-force of latin jazz at its best. As with all of Michel Camilo's ensemble works, this trio has an extremely vibrant and exuberant personality. Michel seems to command the piano in an utterly ethereal fashion that oftens leave the listener awestruck. Charles Flores is coming into his own as Michel's bassist. In his sophomore performance with the trio, he is much more expressive and makes his instrument speak directly to the soul of the audience. Rounding out this trio is drummer, Dafnis Prieto. A critically acclaimed composer and bandleader in his own right, Dafnis gives this ensemble exactly the percussive edge it requires. With a uniquely latin flavor, he lays down syncopated rhythms that make you wonder whether he has a small percussion section backing him up!

Although the band stomps through uptempo selections, fans should also look forward to the lush ballads presented by the trio. All three musicians use their instruments to communicate emotion that can place you in a different world while listening. From upbeat latin, to swing, to ballads, this ensemble is truly first rate! Michel has never disappointed his fans, and I'm sure you won't be disappointed by his latest release.

Buy the album now!

My first taste of Michel Camilo came years ago when I heard One More Once playing in a local music store. I liked what I heard and bought it but then forgot about him until last year when I picked up both of his excellent Tomatito collaborations. Those had me so excited, I didn't hesitate to order Spirit of the Moment as soon as I saw it had been released.
If you haven't heard Camilo before, you are in for a treat here. This is pure Latin jazz virtuosity. If Camilo had strayed from his roots over the years, you'd never know it when you hear Spirit of the Moment.
Though I like most of the CD, I mostly prefer the uptempo pieces. My favorites are: the splendid opener Just Now; the delicious title cut; the thrilling Repercussions; the Miles Davis/Bill Evans composition Nardis, which carries a whiff of Spain on its notes; and the ever-changing Trilogy.
Spirit of the Moment represents a successful return to the jazz trio format for Camilo and his group. Note that I give it four stars only because it starts very strongly and finishes on a weak note. A closing tune of the caliber of Just Now or the title cut would have sent this soaring into five-star territory.
If you are a fan of either Latin jazz or piano jazz in any way, I strongly recommend this CD. You'll find yourself enjoying this over and over.

What can I say.....another superb album from Michel Camilo. The group is tight and the arrangements are meticulous, from track 1 you are taken on a journey that twists and turns from the classic fun of a light blues/jazz into the deepest blue channels of the soul and back again to the present moment filled with light. Michel, you are a master of your craft and a guide for the listener whose ears lucky enough to discover you.Spirit of the Moment

I listened to the CD and I am scratching my head, confused...
On the one hand, Michel Camilo sounds fresh, renewed, wiser, and as always, magnificent and intense. The new compositions are interesting.
On the other hand, while part of the "freshness" factor is due to having a new drummer and bass player in the band, I long for the sounds of Horacio Hernandez (drums)and the one and only Anthony Jackson (contrabass guitar).

To me, Camilo had found the perfect combination when he recorded "Triangulo", (with Hernandez and Jackson as sidemen). Triangulo is arguably one of Camilo's best trio albums. In particular, Anthony Jackson always seemed to be the common denominator among the great Camilo works, one of the catalysts which have always made Camilo's gems sparkle. And he is sorely missed in here. Perhaps Camilo wanted to have upright/acoustic bass on this recording, which Jackson does not play. However, to me this did nothing but water down the results.

Again, I am confused, because it could be argued that if an artist just keeps on recycling the same formula over and over it becomes boring. Yet, to me, a change in direction should be justified, and hopefully yield a better, -or at least innovative- result. Alas, I don't feel this is quite the case in here. The chemistry between the players is just not as explosive and exciting. Spirit of the moment is a good, enjoyable CD, but it does not have the same impact as some earlier Camilo efforts do.

Camilo's "Giant Steps" is one of the best jazz tunes anyone has ever cooked up. Some of the other tunes on the CD are disappointing, however. I agree with other reviews here-- most tunes don't match up to Camilo's earlier trio work. I find a considerable amount of rhythmic disparity between the three musicians.

Spirit of the moment is marvelous. Michel Camilo never disappoints! You have jazz and latin jazz in this album. overall great music.

Como siempre, Michel me sorprende con su estilo , su sonido , sus composiciones y sus arreglos. Tengo que decir que Camilo es un virtuoso extraordinario y que por tal razon no deberia sorprenderme con sus magnificas ejecuciones, pero es que creo que cada vez se supera a si mismo. Es como un buen vino...mejora con el tiempo.
Este es un gran CD para oir y disfrutar con tranquilidad. Es la mejor manera de apreciar sus ejecuciones.
Esto es Jazz del mejor.

Spirit of the Moment is another excellent michel Camilo recording reflecting both execution virtousity and composition skills.

I love Triangulo and Live at the Blue Note, but this album is lame. Who is this Dafnis Prieto guy? Is he playing with feather dusters? As much as I love Camilo's keywork, this album proves one thing to me- the trio is boring without Hernandez behind the drum kit. His dynamic, rhythmic style is very sorely missed on this album.