excellent mellow jazz guitar Russ Hewitt – CIELO NOCTURNO: As usual, Russ performs some of the most excellent (& mellow) guitar work you’ll ever listen to on this new 11-song release; and he’s joined by great players as well… Larry Carlton – Guitar; Ardeshir Farah – Guitar; Walfredo Reyes Jr. – Drums; Raphael Padilla – Percussionist; Bob Parr – Bass; Alfredo Caceres – Guitar; and Vladimir Kaliazine – Accordion… I’ve reviewed a lot of this rising star’s work, most recently in issue # 117, and can honestly say that this is the most joyful and inspiring yet! One of the most effective integrations of accordion with jazz/guitar I’ve ever heard will thrill your soul on the beautiful “Serenidad“… this tune makes it very easy to picture yourself sitting on a sunny day drinking way-cool Margaritas!
One of the things I’ve loved about Russ’s work ever since I started reviewing him is his ability to get it right when it comes to Latin jazz, and you’ll feel the same way after you listen to the lilting strains of guitar and keyboards on “Samba Sao Paulo“… this is just how life needs to be… both marvelous and breathtaking.
It is the mellow percussion on the 4:16 opener, “Presidio“, that makes the tune win my pick as personal favorite of these eleven great songs, though… and the guitars just SHINE on this one, as well! You won’t find a more lively and cheerful guitar jazz set than this on the market today; & that’s why I give Russ & his cast of players a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, as well as a (perfect) “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 5.00; meaning he also gets a “PICK” for “most joyful guitar-led jazz”! Get more information about Russ and this album on Russ’s page for the CD. Rotcod Zzaj
