Live at the Blue Note

Disc 1
1	Cocowalk 6:12
2	Two of a Kind 6:53
3	Hello & Goodbye 8:42
4	The Magic in You 9:02
5	Tequila 4:50
6	Dichotomy 7:58
7	Twilight Glow 8:43
8	Happy Birthday/Blue Bossa 3:53
9	This Way Out 10:56
Disc 2
1	On the Other Hand 6:42
2	Mongo's Blues 6:52
3	Thinking of You 9:09
4	At Night (To Frank) 6:14
5	Why Not! 8:26
6	Silent Talk 6:29
7	See You Later 6:22
8	And Sammy Walked In 6:35
9	On Fire 13:02

Barnes & Noble

There's been plenty of talk about the contemporary Latin jazz renaissance in 2003. A new generation of players is making big noise on the scene, proudly incorporating rhythms from Cuba, the Caribbean, and South America with native-born jazz idioms. To the Dominican-born pianist and composer Michel Camilo, this must all be old news. A virtuoso improviser whose way with jazz harmony and classical themes is as spot-on as his ease with the rhythmic contours of Latin music, Camilo has been at the forefront of the pan-cultural fusion for two decades now. His first live recording finds the dexterous keyboardist in typical form: that is, smoking from note one. Supported by the masterful drummer Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez and bassist Charles Flores, Camilo brings 16 of his own compositions to vivid life. (Three standards -- "Tequila" and a medley of "Happy Birthday" and "Blue Bossa" -- are the sole non-originals). The trio lineup belies the staggering volume of music making of which these three are capable. Throughout, Camilo displays his fleet wizardry and agile rhythmic acuity, sprinkling spice about intricate arrangements that recall everything from Romantic piano to Thelonious Monk. An earthy sophisticate, Camilo has plenty to teach the new kids on the block. William Pearl

All Music Guide

Recorded over four nights of a weeklong engagement at New York's legendary Blue Note club, this double CD is the first live recording by pianist Michel Camilo and includes a number of new compositions that had not been recorded (or even performed in public) before Camilo and his trio took over the Blue Note stage in March of 2003. This was his first recording with the rhythm section of bassist Charles Flores and drummer Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, but the trio sounds as if it has been playing together for a decade: Flores and Hernandez both follow Camilo faithfully and supportively, pushing him gently when he needs it and staying out of his way when he doesn't. Camilo is at his most impressive on the ballads and mid-tempo numbers, on which his lines are delicate, almost lacy, but complex and powerful at the same time -- note in particular the lovely "Twilight Glow" and the slightly more impressionistic "Dichotomy." Few pianists could coax an elegant solo out of "Tequila," but Camilo does so with apparent ease. On the more up-tempo numbers his soloing tends to be a bit blocky, but his take on the classic "Blue Bossa" features some amazing cross-rhythms in the piano solo, and his own "On the Other Hand" is a brilliant piece of modern jazz piano artistry that incorporated a sly tribute to Thelonious Monk. Some will feel that the album begins wearing a bit by the end of the second disc; others will wish there were a third. Recommended. Rick Anderson

All About Jazz

This set provides a great introduction to the depth and breadth of his astounding capacity.