Luis Bonilla
I Talking Now!
Planet Arts/New Jazz Consortium
www.Planet.Arts.org
By George W. Harris

Trombonist Luis Bonilla gets together with Arturo O’Farrill/p, Andy
McKee/b, Ivan Renta/sax and John Riley/dr for an adventurous set of
post-bop jazz. All of the compositions are original and, well,
original! The songs are more like journeys than tunes, with the
shifting grooves, vibes and melodies on the title track and “Uh, Uh,
Uh”coming across like a magical mystery tour. On the mellower front,
the Brookmeyer-inspired “Closer Still” has a soft and supple motif,
while “Elis” glides along like a winter skater. The rhythm section
churgles along like a souped up 84 Cutlass Supreme, with Renta and
Bonilla taking solos like their lives depended on it. Pretty
adventurous stuff here.