On the Other Hand

by Scott YanowWhen it comes to pure rhythmic excitement, few can compete with pianist Michel Camilo and his frequently polyrhythmic attack. Although his powerful style is evident throughout the calypso-oriented title cut, this CD is actually a fairly laidback album. With "City Of The Angels" used as a ballad feature for Chris Hunter's soprano, the two versions of "Silent Talk" being quite tender, "Forbidden Fruit" mostly an r&bish vocal by D.K. Dyson and Casey Cysik and some of the other cuts finding Camilo in a supportive role, this is a very different album than the pianist's first two. Overall this set is a slight disappointment considering what Camilo is capable of.