On the Other Hand (album)

After three consecutive trio albums, Camilo returns to his septet, this time with Michael Mossman replacing Lew Soloff, and having Ralph Bowen join Chris Hunter on Saxophone. Almond and Bowie also take the respective places on Anthony Jackson and Dave Weckl. This work has some Camilo originals as well as some jazz standards which Camilo arranged.

He starts off the album with the titile track, a caribbean flavored jam with exellent harmonies between the horns and magnificant solos by Hunter and Camilo. City of the Angels, a ballad written by Jaco Pastorius is arranged here by Camilo, offering an excellent contrast to the exhilerating prior tune. Journey turns the pace back up giving the sense that one is in an action sequence due to Michael Bowie's driving bass line. This piece undergoes many changes in pulse and feel and to Camilo's mastery of modern jazz. This would serve as the basis for a movement of his Suite for Piano, Strings, and Harp. He keeps up the exhilerating pace with an trio version of Impressions, a post bop standard. Just when you think Camilo's solo is done, Bowie and Almond push Camilo to the limit by making take another solo before finally going into fours.  Silent Talk I, while definately not silent, is a rather rubato and ominous ballad Camilo drags out for what may seem like pleasantly endless eternity. Forbidden Fruit introduces Camilo's talents as an accompanist. Combining jazz, caribbean and pop flavors Camilo's creates and cool atmosphere with vocals by D.K. Dyson. This is truly a one of a kind movement for Camilo and wouldn't be attempted again until his album Spain Again with Flamenco Guitarist, Tomatito, and volcalist, Juan Luis Guerra. Of course, no Camilo album can be complete without a song for his beloved wife. Here he profides his third movment of his Suite Sandrine. Featuring a solo by Mossman in a salsa jam, this song, along with the title track, is the highlight of the album. The album slowly eases away with a slowed down straight ahead version of Birk's Works for trio before finally heading out with the continuation of Silent Talk, the first Camilo album to end on a light note rather than powerful smash.

Personnel
Michel Camilo - Piano

Chris Hunter - Saxophone

Ralph Bowen - Saxophone

Michael Mossman - Trumpet

Michael Bowie - Bass

Cliff Almond - Drums

Sammy Figueroa - Congas

D.K. Dyson - Vocals

Track Listings

 * 1) On the Other Hand (Camilo)
 * 2) City of the Angels (Jaco Pastorius)
 * 3) Journey (Camilo)
 * 4) Impressions (John Coltrane)
 * 5) Silent Talk I (Camilo)
 * 6) Forbidden Fruit (Camilo; Eigenburg)
 * 7) Suite Sandrine Part III (Camilo)
 * 8) Birk's Works (Dizzy Gillespie)
 * 9) Silent Talk II (Camilo)