Cover Art photography by: Herminio Alberti León
TACKLIST
And Sammy Walked In (Michel Camilo)
Mongo’s Blues Intro (Michel Camilo)
Mongo’s Blues (Michel Camilo)
Liquid Crystal (Michel Camilo)
Mano a Mano (Michel Camilo)
Just Like You (Michel Camilo)
Yes (Michel Camilo)
Piece of Cake (Michel Camilo)
On Fire (Michel Camilo)
Repercussions (Michel Camilo)
Hello & Goodbye (Michel Camilo)
ALBUM NOTES
“ESSENCE marks my 25th album. This milestone recording is a celebration of the flowing dynamic creativity and interactive energy between my rhythm section and top-notch horn section, as we explore together the challenging virtuoso passages and exciting unexpected turns on some of my most well-known jazz compositions. The exhilarating "ensemble tightness” captured on these superb performances has always been an important signature element of my musical stylings. Making this special project was BIG FUN and I am really thrilled to share it with all of you! Enjoy!”
- Michel Camilo
Personnel
Michel Camilo – piano, bandleader, composer
Ricky Rodriguez – bass
Cliff Almond – drums
Eliel Lazo – percussion, vocals
Antonio Hart – alto sax, flute
Sharel Cassity – alto sax, clarinet
Ralph Bowen – tenor sax, flute
Adam Kolker – tenor sax, clarinet
Frank Basile – baritone sax, bass clarinet
Michael Philip Mossman – trumpet, flugelhorn, arranger
Raul Agras – trumpet, flugelhorn
John Walsh – trumpet, flugelhorn
Diego Urcola – trumpet, flugelhorn
Kali Rodriguez-Peña – trumpet, flugelhorn
Michael Dease – trombone
Steve Davis – trombone
Jason Jackson – trombone
David Taylor – bass trombone
Produced by: Michel Camilo
Executive Producer: Sandra Camilo
Recording engineer: Phil Magnotti
Assistant engineer: Brett Mayer
Mixed by: Phil Magnotti & Michel Camilo
Mastered by: Phil Magnotti & Caco Refojo at Magnotti Productions and PKO Studios
Recorded at: Power Station Studios at Berklee NYC
Video by: Frankie Celenza