DANILO PEREZ

DANILO PEREZ
ACROSS THE CRYSTAL SEA (2008)
192 KBPS

Danilo Pérez, the Panamanian-born pianist, is so good in the context of Wayne Shorter's quartet that it tends to overshadow his solo projects. Fortunately, this beautifully crafted album of eight mini-concertos for trio and orchestra thrusts him centre stage. Claus Ogerman's sumptuous sound is familiar from his famous recordings with Benson, Brecker and Jobim. Many tracks are based on themes by classical composers such as Massenet and Sibelius (the gorgeous Rays and Shadows) and Cassandra Wilson sings a couple of standards. The title track, After a Theme By Hugo Distler, is perfectly judged mood music, more compositionally robust than it sounds at first, and Pérez plays beautifully, as minimally incisive as Shorter. Ogerman's orchestra follows the groove of the rhythm section (including bassist Christian McBride) like a swinging dream. So ultra-smooth it achieves something like a state of grace.

Personnel
Danilo Perez - Piano
Christian McBride - Bass
Lewis Nash - Drum
Luis Quintero - Percussion
Cassandra Wilson - Vocals
Claus Ogerman - Orchestral Arrangements & Direction

1. Across The Crystal Sea 7:16
2. Rays And Shadows 4:43
3. Lazy Afternoon 6:38
4. The Purple Condor 8:41
5. If I Forget You 5:38
6. (All Of A Sudden) My Heart Sings 7:44
7. The Saga Of Rita Joe 7:39
8. Another Autumn 9:28