In Camilo's own estimation, this "Live at the Blue Note" is the next evolutionary step beyond the group he'd broken with the Grammy-nominated CD "Triangulo" in 2002 ; He is mixing two worlds, and rhythmically there are a lot of challenging moments !!! There is a very high level of communication and risk in all the improvisational moments. The three musicians, Charles Flores on bass and Horacio Hernandez on drums, move through this recording with a precision, virtuosity, energy and sensibility. Essential recording, to get it absolutely !!! Emilio ( France, Dordogne ).

This is a smokin' live album. I have several of Camilo's CDs and this live session shows him at his best. Besides at the low price it's a steal because the two CD set contains 2 hrs, 15 mnts of music. From start to finish Camilo is energetic and the rhythm section keeps up with his ebullience. He has a very unique style of play that sets him out as one of the top jazz pianists. Camilo brings fresh touch and makes for a delightful listening experience. I recommend to get this live collection and turn it up so you can hear the subtlety of this exceptional trio.

If you enjoy Camilo's studio recordings, you'll love this live CD. His best, most innovative, most adventurous, most technically dazzling work to date.

As a fan of the Michel Camilo trio this recording is a great document of what fans have always talked about after seeing their performances. You can expect: varied compositions (from haunting ballads to the bluesy to the most fiery latin), brilliant virtuosity & group interplay of the highest order. That is here in spades. Also the sound quality, imaging & dynamic range of the DSD recording is impressive.

Sadly what is lacking is the combination of players that I've had the honor of witnessing over a period almost a decade long at New York's Blue Note. I'm referring to Anthony Jackson's contribution to the Camilo trio sound.

Here is an artist who perfectly complements Michel Camilo's sensibilities, not to mention that he posesses a sensitivity to tone that is unparalleled. No disrespect is meant towards the talents of Charles Flores. However the dynamic range of the group is now compromised. On uptempo compositions the upright just doesn't have the clarity to match Camilo's tone the way Anthony Jackson's contrasbass guitar did, especially on unison line passages.

The choices Mr. Jackson made have always touched my soul. He might save his lowest pitch & loudest dynamic for the last note of a ballad that crescendos over the group. I clearly remember a rare solo he took on a ballad using a volume pedal as an expression pedal. Those moments & Anthony Jackson's presence in the group are sorely missed.

Last I can't help but wonder if pressure from the label has influenced the decision to have a "legitimate" upright bass so as to appeal to conservative listeners & gain more radio airplay as well. It is sad that players who've shared so much & developed a musical language together over decades are no longer working together.

For those curious to hear & see what I'm talking about watch the Camilo trio's performance in the film "Calle 54." Then you will know what's missing. (The option is not available but I'd give this CD a rating of 3 1/2 stars.) Just my two cents.

Having followed the career of this amazing pianist for nearly 20 years, it was always something of a mystery to me that he had not released a live album. Michel Camilo's studio recordings have always been first-rate, and I've bought them all, but whenever I saw him perform it seemed like the music was kicked up yet another notch for the live audience. If you're familiar with his music, you know that's really saying something. I wasn't alone in feeling this way, either. Many people already familiar with his recordings would be awed by seeing and hearing him perform live. So the absence of a live recording from his discography wasn't just a mystery; to a fan like me it was also a crime. Happily, all of that has changed with this 2-CD release on Telarc. As you might expect from this audiophile label, the recording is superb; they have captured the trio perfectly. The playing by all three musicians is sublime, and their level of communication throughout is nothing short of astonishing. I'm especially grateful for the inclusion of a number of unhurried solo piano introductions and ballads, which have continued to grow in power and beauty as Michel Camilo's playing has matured over the years. But fans of his high-energy virtuosity won't be disappointed either; there's plenty of that here too, in spades. Indeed it's amazing just how much variety there is here. And I don't just mean in the material; I mean in Michel's playing too. This is an amazing collection of music that rewards many repeated listenings. The 2004 Grammy award for Best Latin Jazz Album was richly deserved! Buy this CD now!