Hilton Ruiz is seen as one of the better exponents of Latin jazz in The Penguin Guide to Jazz. Something he certainly confirms with his CD Hands On Percussion. It contains stylishly swinging and sometimes splashing Latin jazz by this pianist born in Puerto Rico, who is accompanied by numerous renowned (jazz) musicians. Some of those that should be mentioned are: Tito Puente, Charlie Sepulveda, Papo
… Vasquez and Giovanni Hidalgo. Tito Puente can be heard on vibes on Mambo For Vibes and Round Midnight, and on 'timbales' in the opening track Ornithology (a composition by Charlie Parker). Besides Cotton Tail (Duke Ellington), Like Sonny (John Coltrane) and Manenguitos Way (Giovanni Hidalgo) there are three of Ruiz's own compositions on this highly recommended CD.more
