Hilton Ruiz - Manhattan Mambo

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:23
Size: 120,3 MB
Art: Front

( 5:04)  1. Mambo Numero Cinco
( 6:36)  2. Sure Thing
( 4:30)  3. Michael's Mambo
( 5:20)  4. Home Cookin'
( 7:38)  5. Overtime Mambo
( 6:20)  6. Giovanni Speaks
(10:16)  7. Impressions
( 6:36)  8. Showtime

Pianist Hilton Ruiz is heard with a superior group of musicians adept at playing both bebop and Latin jazz. With a front line of trumpeter Charlie Sepulveda, David Sanchez on tenor and trombonist Papo Vazquez in addition to four percussionists, Ruiz's nonet displays plenty of fire on a set of originals, Pérez Prado's "Mambo Numero Cinco" and John Coltrane's "Impressions."~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/manhattan-mambo-mw0000083168

Personnel: Hilton Ruiz (piano); David Sanchez (tenor saxophone); Charlie Sepúlveda (trumpet); Angel Papo Vasquez, Papo Vazquez (trombone); Steve Berrios (drums, cowbells, timbales, percussion); Ignacio Berroa (drums, timbales); Giovanni Hidalgo (congas, cowbells, bells, gong); Joe Gonzalez (bongos); Andy González (cowbells)

Manhattan Mambo

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Hilton Ruiz - Strut

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1989
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:24
Size: 113,6 MB
Art: Front

( 6:19)  1. The SideWinder
(10:46)  2. Goin'Back To New Orleans
( 4:57)  3. Bluz
( 4:19)  4. Aged In Soul
( 8:07)  5. All My Love Is Yours
( 5:55)  6. Soca Serenade
( 2:34)  7. Why Don't You Steal My B
( 6:24)  8. Lush Life

Pianist Hilton Ruiz mixes together elements of salsa, r&b, funk and jazz but, instead of his music becoming some type of hybrid, the result is a very danceable variety of jazz that is both accessible and challenging. Ruiz, whose main influence is McCoy Tyner, gathered together a very interesting assortment of players for Strut. Trumpeter Lew Soloff contributes some high notes and leads the horn riffing, trombonist Dick Griffin's extroverted trombone is witty in its short spots, Sam Rivers (mostly on tenor) and percussionist Mongo Santamaria add their sounds to the brew and guitarist Rodney Jones is second only to Ruiz in taking solo honors. 

It is particularly rewarding to hear a Latin remake of "The Sidewinder" and many of the other good-natured melodies are catchy. Strut should be able to win over both jazz fans and those listeners who claim to not understand or be able to appreciative creative music. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/strut-mw0000203520

Personnel:  Piano – Hilton Ruiz; Bass – Rodney Jones; Congas – Mongo Santamaria; Drums – Robby Ameen, Steve Berrios; Electric Bass – Francisco Centeno; Guitar – Rodney Jones; Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Sam Rivers; Timbales, Percussion – Robby Ameen, Steve Berrios; Trombone – Dick Griffin; Trumpet – Lew Soloff

Strut

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Roy Brooks and the Artistic Truth - Ethnic Expressions

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1973
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:45
Size: 112,4 MB
Art: Front

(16:03)  1. M'Jumbe
( 8:13)  2. The Last Prophet
( 5:53)  3. The Smart Set
( 5:33)  4. Eboness
(13:00)  5. Eboness (Kwanza)

Ethnic Expressions by Roy Brooks & the Artistic Truth is one of two recordings drum master Roy Brooks cut for the tiny Afrocentric New York imprint Im-Hotep. Released in 1973, it has been one of the most sought-after "Holy Grail" recordings on the collector's market, with copies selling at auction for over $1,200. The reason is not merely its rarity, but the stellar quality of its music and the focus of its vision reinventing the unity of African-American self-determination through music. Recording at Small's Paradise in Harlem on the tenth anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy, this large collective of musicians created a positive, musically sophisticated, emotionally powerful performance that epitomized 1970s jazz as it incorporated the free, progressive, and spiritual jazz elements of the 1960s in a setting that also included soul and blues expression. The personnel includes Brooks on drums and percussion; Olu Dara and Cecil Bridgewater on trumpets and flügelhorn; Hamiet Bluiett, Sonny Fortune, and John Stubblefield on saxophones, flute, and bass clarinets; pianists Joe Bonner (acoustic) and Hilton Ruiz (Rhodes); bassist Reggie Workman; and Richard Landrum and Lawrence Williams on African percussion. Vocalist Eddie Jefferson also appears on the "The Smart Set" and "Eboness," at his most expressive and soulful. The album's five tracks include two longer pieces in "M'Jumbe" (whose arrangement reflects the time Brooks spent with Charles Mingus a year earlier) and the closing "Eboness (Kwanza)," as well as three middle-length pieces  The 16-minute "M'Jumbe" begins in a free call and response between trumpet, percussion, and bowed bass, gradually adding more instruments until its groove emerges at two minutes and its melody unfolds near the three-minute mark. Even as the horn sections quote the theme, improvisation moves in and out, funky themes are introduced with another melodic statement, and brief moments of free playing slip through before formal solos are taken. 

The tune is always circular due to its impeccably preeminent rhythmic elements. "The Last Prophet" showcases the band's groove side with stellar piano work from Bonner and a horn section in full swagger. The interplay between Workman and Brooks is magical. Jefferson's hip R&B roots are brought into play on the finger-popping "The Smart Set" and his blues authority on "Eboness," with some deep soul work from Workman and Ruiz as well as a fine flute solo from Fortune. On "Eboness (Kwanza)," the vocalist referred to as "Black Rose" is Dee Dee Bridgewater. This is a bona fide jazz classic; its importance as an example of the best that jazz had to offer in the 1970s cannot be overstated. [Ethnic Expressions slipped out of print in 1975, and remained out of print until Japan's P-Vine made it available for a limited time on CD in 2009. In 2010, however, Great Britain's Jazzman was able to license and reissue it on both CD and LP, making it widely available and affordable worldwide.] ~ Thom Jurek https://www.allmusic.com/album/ethnic-expressions-mw0001746882

Personnel:  Roy Brooks – drums & various percussion instruments;  Olu Dara – trumpet & E-flat horn;  Hamiet Bluiett – baritone sax & clarinet;  Reggie Workman - bass;  Joseph Bonner - piano; Black Rose – ethnic expressionist;  Eddie Jefferson – vocalist;  Cecil Bridgewater – trumpet & flugelhorn;  Sonny Fortune – alto sax & flute;  John Stubblefield – tenor sax, flute & bass clarinet; Hilton Ruiz – piano (Fender Rhodes);    Richard Landrum – African percussion;  Lawrence Williams – African percussion

Ethnic Expressions

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Jerry Gonzalez - Ya Yo Me Cure

Styles: Latin Jazz, Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1979
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:44
Size: 109,6 MB
Art: Front

(6:43)  1. Agueybana Zemi
(8:23)  2. Nefertiti
(5:24)  3. Ya Yo Me Cure
(2:59)  4. The Lucy Theme
(8:59)  5. Evidence
(6:54)  6. Baba Fieden Orisha
(8:19)  7. Caravan

The debut recording as a leader by Jerry Gonzalez, Ya Yo Me Cure features an early version of the trumpeter/Latin percussionist's Fort Apache Band (although it had not been named at this point). The advanced Latin jazz set (which has been reissued on CD) features such notable sidemen as trombonist Steve Turre, Mario Rivera on tenor, pianist Hilton Ruiz, singer Frankie Rodriguez and several percussionists. In addition to three originals by Rodriguez, the hot ensemble Latinizes such unlikely tunes as "Caravan," Wayne Shorter's "Nefertiti," Thelonious Monk's "Evidence" and "The Lucy Theme." Frequently exciting music. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/ya-yo-me-cure-mw0000197255

Personnel: Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Coro – Jerry Gonzalez;  Backing Vocals – Milton Cardona;  Bass, Coro – Andy Gonzalez;  Bata – Gene Golden;  Coro – Carlos Mestre;  Drums – Don Alias;  Electric Guitar – Edgardo Miranda;  Guiro, Percussion – Vincente George;  Lead Vocals, Bata – Frankie Rodriguez;  Piano – Hilton Ruiz;  Saxophone, Coro – Mario Rivera;  Timbales – Nicky Marrero;  Trombone – Steve Turre;  Trombone, Coro – Papo Vázquez

Ya Yo Me Cure

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Hilton Ruiz - Island Eyes

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:33
Size: 125,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:51)  1. Intrepid Fox
(4:35)  2. Island Eyes
(4:46)  3. The Girl's In Love
(5:06)  4. House Of Dreams
(6:02)  5. Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You
(4:52)  6. Stand By Me
(5:07)  7. Unit Seven
(4:17)  8. Body And Soul
(5:11)  9. Soul Eyes
(2:47) 10. Solar Orbit
(5:54) 11. Naturally

Jazz pianist Hilton Ruiz was a musician of uncommon versatility, shuttling seamlessly between the complex improvisations of the avant-garde and the relentless rhythms of Afro-Cuban music. Born in New York City on May 29, 1952, Ruiz was a child prodigy who performed at Carnegie Recital Hall at age eight. In addition to classical studies, he explored jazz under the tutelage of the legendary Mary Lou Williams, and at 14 made his recorded debut with the Latin soul outfit Ray Jay and the East Siders. His remarkable improvisational gifts nevertheless cemented Ruiz's decision to pursue a career in jazz, and while still in his teens he backed everyone from Freddie Hubbard to Joe Henderson. Ruiz vaulted to global renown in 1973 when he joined the famously eclectic saxophonist/flutist Rahsaan Roland Kirk, proving his mettle as a gifted interpreter of a repertoire spanning from the blues to the avant-garde via cult-classic LPs including The Case of the 3 Sided Dream in Audio Color and The Return of the 5000 Lb. Man. After a four-year tenure with Kirk, Ruiz toured Egypt and India with Clark Terry; upon his return to New York, he was a first-call sideman for acts including Betty Carter, Abbey Lincoln, and Chico Freeman, and also founded his own group, continuing a headlining career that began with the 1975 Steeplechase effort Piano Man. Over the span of acclaimed LPs including 1977's Steppin' Into Beauty, 1988's El Camino (The Road) and 1991's A Moment's Notice, Ruiz honed a Latin jazz fusion approach that resulted in collaborations with Tito Puente and Paquito d'Rivera; he also moonlighted in film, contributing to the soundtracks of Woody Allen's Crimes and Misdemeanors and Sam Mendes' Oscar-winning American Beauty, and with Richard Bradley authored 1987's three-volume Jazz and How to Play It. During a visit to New Orleans, where he was scheduled to work on a Hurricane Katrina benefit project, Ruiz suffered a fall in front of a French Quarter bar and slipped into a coma. He never regained consciousness, dying just a week after his 54th birthday on June 6, 2006. ~ Jason Ankeny http://www.allmusic.com/artist/hilton-ruiz-mn0000957132/biography

Personnel: Hilton Ruiz (piano, Hammond organ, keyboards); John Stubblefield (tenor saxophone); Jon Faddis (trumpet); Dave Valentin (flute); Bernd Schoenhart (guitar); John Benitez (acoustic & electric basses); Ignacio Berroa (drums); Tito Puente (timables, vibraphone); Milton Cardona, Richie Flores (congas, percussion).

Island Eyes

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Hilton Ruiz - Steppin' Into Beauty

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1977
File: MP3@224K/s
Time: 50:25
Size: 80,8 MB
Art: Front

(18:20)  1. Origin
( 5:26)  2. Steppin' into Beauty
( 7:20)  3. The Last Profit
( 6:50)  4. The Goal
(12:27)  5. Excition

Jazz pianist Hilton Ruiz was a musician of uncommon versatility, shuttling seamlessly between the complex improvisations of the avant-garde and the relentless rhythms of Afro-Cuban music. Born in New York City on May 29, 1952, Ruiz was a child prodigy who performed at Carnegie Recital Hall at age eight. In addition to classical studies, he explored jazz under the tutelage of the legendary Mary Lou Williams, and at 14 made his recorded debut with the Latin soul outfit Ray Jay and the East Siders. His remarkable improvisational gifts nevertheless cemented Ruiz's decision to pursue a career in jazz, and while still in his teens he backed everyone from Freddie Hubbard to Joe Henderson. Ruiz vaulted to global renown in 1973 when he joined the famously eclectic saxophonist/flutist Rahsaan Roland Kirk, proving his mettle as a gifted interpreter of a repertoire spanning from the blues to the avant-garde via cult-classic LPs including The Case of the 3 Sided Dream in Audio Color and The Return of the 5000 Lb. Man. After a four-year tenure with Kirk, Ruiz toured Egypt and India with Clark Terry; upon his return to New York, he was a first-call sideman for acts including Betty Carter, Abbey Lincoln, and Chico Freeman, and also founded his own group, continuing a headlining career that began with the 1975 Steeplechase effort Piano Man. Over the span of acclaimed LPs including 1977's Steppin' Into Beauty, 1988's El Camino (The Road) and 1991's A Moment's Notice, Ruiz honed a Latin jazz fusion approach that resulted in collaborations with Tito Puente and Paquito d'Rivera; he also moonlighted in film, contributing to the soundtracks of Woody Allen's Crimes and Misdemeanors and Sam Mendes' Oscar-winning American Beauty, and with Richard Bradley authored 1987's three-volume Jazz and How to Play It. During a visit to New Orleans, where he was scheduled to work on a Hurricane Katrina benefit project, Ruiz suffered a fall in front of a French Quarter bar and slipped into a coma. He never regained consciousness, dying just a week after his 54th birthday on June 6, 2006. ~ Jason Ankeny  https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/hilton-ruiz/id105215#fullText

Personnel: Hilton Ruiz (piano); Frank Foster (tenor saxophone); Richard Gene Williams (trumpet); Steve Solder, Roy Brooks (drums); Buster Williams (bass).

Steppin' Into Beauty

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