Danilo Perez Across The Crystal Sea CD

Danilo Perez: Danilo Perez (piano); Cassandra Wilson (vocals); Christian McBride (bass instrument); Lewis Nash (drums, drum); Luis Quintero (percussion).
Audio Mixer: Al Schmitt.
Liner Note Author: Tommy LiPuma.
Recording information: Avatar Studios, New York, NY (09/29/2007-10/20/2007); Capitol studios, Los Angeles, CA (09/29/2007-10/20/2007).
Editor: Brian Montgomery.
Arranger: Claus Ogerman.
Latin jazz pianist Danilo Perez outfits himself with strings on 2008's ACROSS THE CRYSTAL SEA. Arranger Claus Ogerman pens most of the album's tunes, and his charts and compositions create a rich framework for the improvisations of Perez and the other players, including bassist Christian McBride and drummer Lewis Hash in addition to vocalist Cassandra Wilson, whose performances on "Lazy Afternoon" and "(All of a Sudden) My Heart Sings" make for two of the album's highlights. Those expecting a straightforward Latin jazz outing may be surprised by the lyrical sweep of ACROSS THE CRYSTAL SEA.
Many jazz pianists desire to record with strings at least one time in their careers. Unfortunately, this frequently causes them to play a bit too conservatively, while the strings overwhelm the release. Such is the case on this CD by pianist Danilo Perez with arrangements by Claus Ogerman (who previously worked on recording projects with Bill Evans and Oscar Peterson, among others). The jazz group, which includes bassist Christian McBride, drummer Lewis Hash, and percussionist Luis Quintero, plays acceptably but they clearly are having to reign in too much in deference to the strings. One wonders how Perez has top billing when hearing "Lazy Afternoon," as the piece is nearly two-thirds over by the time he and his group make their entrance, though vocalist Cassandra Wilson shines in the dreamy setting. She also appears in "(All of a Sudden) My Heart Sings," a neglected gem from decades ago; fortunately, Perez isn't shunted aside by the strings in this chart. Ogerman's originals, many of which are derived from themes by classical composers Rachmaninov, Sibelius, Massenet, and others, frankly aren't memorable at all. Skip this disappointing release. ~Ken Dryden
Many jazz pianists desire to record with strings at least one time in their careers. Such is the case on this CD by pianist Danilo Perez with arrangements by Claus Ogerman (who previously worked on recording projects with Bill Evans and Oscar Peterson, among others). The jazz group, which includes bassist Christian McBride, drummer Lewis Hash, and percussionist Luis Quintero, plays acceptably but also often defers to the strings. On "Lazy Afternoon," the piece is nearly two-thirds over by the time Perez and his group make their entrance, though vocalist Cassandra Wilson shines in the dreamy setting. She also appears in "(All of a Sudden) My Heart Sings," a neglected gem from decades ago; fortunately, Perez isn't shunted aside by the strings in this chart. Many of Ogerman's originals are derived from themes by classical composers Rachmaninov, Sibelius, Massenet, and others. ~ Ken DrydenJazzTimes (p.69) - "Mellow, inviting and at times highly affecting, it's an ideal late-night album."
Global Rhythm (Publication) (p.48) - "[A] welcome surprise emerges in the beautifully played 'Another Autumn,' which features the nuanced drumming of Luis Quintero....This is a subtly majestic outing that surpasses the sum of its very impressive parts."