Giovanni Hidalgo - Worldwide (1993)

Widely acknowledged among the greatest congueros of his generation, Giovanni Hidalgo was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1963, first taking up the drums five years later; the son of the noted percussionist Jose "Manengue" Hidalgo, he was educated in Latin rhythms from childhood onward, and as a teen regularly walked to local gigs with his congas strapped to his back. He soon caught the attention of the legendary Dizzy Gillespie, touring in his United Nations All-Star Orchestra for four years; Hidalgo also became a noted session player, recording with Freddie Hubbard, Paul Simon, and Mickey Hart's Planet Drum project. In 1992, he recorded his debut solo LP, Villa Hidalgo; Worldwide followed a year later, and for 1997's Hands of Rhythm, a collaboration with pianist Michel Camilo, Hidalgo earned a Grammy nomination in the Best Latin Jazz Album category. His Greatest Hits collection followed the next year. ~ Jason Ankeny

This CD is a real gem. Percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo leads a septet/octet that includes flutist Dave Valentin, trumpeter Lew Soloff, tenor saxophonist Craig Handy, Hilton Ruiz or Eric Figueroa on piano, bassist Eddie Rivera, and drummer Ignacio Berroa, plus Mario Rivera on various reeds. The arrangements of Ruiz, Figueroa, and Marty Sheller are quite colorful, revitalizing such numbers as "It Don't Mean a Thing," Sonny Clark's "Blue Minor," "Canadian Sunset," "Summertime," and "Seven Steps to Heaven." The consistently rewarding solos and surprising arrangements make this set highly recommended.~Scott Yanow