Thursday, January 27, 2011
Luis Bonilla -Twilight Review!
Luis Bonilla is a musician with one big personality. That’s what comes through on the two CDs of his I’ve heard. The last one was I Talking Now, an overpowering trombone assault. It was good, just exhausting. When I saw his new recording, Twilight, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to endure.
I did. And Twilight is a much different recording than I Talking Now. The defiance and bravado were replaced by precision and even contemplation. The quintet, made up of Luis Bonilla on trombone; Ivan Renta playing tenor saxophone; Bruce Barth doing triple duty with acoustic piano, fender rhodes, hammond C3; Andy McKee handling acoustic bass; John Riley playing drums and Vincent Chancey on french horn, has been together for several years and they each contributed compositions to the recording. This makes it a cohesive, distinctive sound, with Bonilla’s manic energy supporting, but not overwhelming, the project.
It begins with “Twilight.” Barth’s Rhodes gives it a dreamy, ethereal and often hypnotic texture. It’s like a lullaby from a fantasy story and I enjoyed the contrast twixt the trombone and the Rhodes. “Double Trouble” was great and, as the name implies, it’s built around a blues sound, and it’s a slow motion blues. This track is Andy McKee’s contribution. Ivan the saxophonist’s song is “Vertigo”, which weaves and dances, with the piano chilling behind it. “Blind Faith” was Riley the drummer’s composition. It has lots of snare action, rolls galore. The song wanders but stays whole. These were all some excellent tracks, but I think “Let It Be Said” was the heart of the CD. It’s a tender, quiet song. The organ behind the trombone gives it a light religious flavor, very southern, like a late night dance. This song gives depth and reality to the whole record.
Bonilla has a distinct sound and an encompassing musical philosophy. He composes and plays outstanding music. Twilight is well balanced and colorful recording.
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