JAZZ HAMILTON - MY SOUL... (2008)

Jazz Hamilton Saxes and vocals
Ricky Martinez Piano, solo
Eddie "Guagua" Rivera Bass
Orlando Sanchez Congas
Edwin Bonilla Bongo
Dimas Sanchez Drums, trap
Adalberto Santiago Coros
Giovanni Hidalgo Congas
Carlos Hernandez Minor perc.
Johnny Sepulveda Congas, minor perc.
Ufi Geisendorfer Piano
Victor Romero Piano
Elizabeth Hernandez Guiros (Cuban and Puerto Rican)

My Soul 4:16
Sentido 4:57
Solstice/Adoracion 5:03
Killing Me Softly 5:20
My Soul (Ballad) 4:10
A Taste Of Something Seet 3:37
Wolfgang Jacob Sonata 2:32
Cocinado 4:41
The Green Hornet Theme 3:03
Preciosa 3:24

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Review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for VINILEMANIA.NET

Jazz Hamilton has released a new CD My Soul, an easy listening mix of Latin dance music, smooth jazz and some pretty good saxophone playing. The styles are varied, the songs, ten in total, ranging from the Salsa tune composed by Hamilton, “My Soul”. The Latin jazz, Ray Barreto song “Cocinando” and smooth jazz song “Killing Me Softly” by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel mix things up considerably. And musically way out there, a tune that displays Hamilton’s saxophone virtuosity entitled “Wolfgang Jacobi Sonata” a classical saxophone beauty. Then there’s “The Green Hornet Theme” a fun arrangement for a Latin jazz small group to battle with. Moments of brilliance peek through in what might best be described as a very listenable musical ambiance. 

The CD is produced arranged and mixed by Jazz Hamilton. Hamilton plays the alto saxophone and provides vocals on a couple of the tracks. If the idea is to showcase the diversity of Mr. Hamilton’s soul, mission accomplished. Other than impressive percussion care of guest artist, Giovanni Hidalgo, including some impressive piano playing by Ricky Martinez, the focus is primarily alto saxophone. The backup musicians play the role of accompanists, the musician’s names can not be read, the print on the liner notes is cursive and tiny. The solid rhythm playing by the musicians allows for saxophone wandering through soulful renditions of many genres of music.

On the tune “A Taste of Something Sweet” composed by Raul Rodriguez and Jazz Hamilton, a fast tempo dance tune in a Salsa style. Hamilton leads the band with a low toned growl that gives way mid way through to a dynamic conga solo by Giovanni Hidalgo accented and aided by the wonderful timbale playing of guest artist Edwin Bonilla.  

The album My Soul concludes with a Rafael Hernandez composition “Preciosa” a melancholy ballad that features Hamilton’s alto saxophone played in a classical style with piano accompaniment by Ricky Martinez. A very pretty tune, although a sad conclusion to a diverse mix of music that seems to travel many different paths.