Lisa Hilton - Extended Daydream (2025)

Pianist and composer Lisa Hilton has carved out a career as not only an impressive pianist with her own sound, but one able to write fresh and personal material in solo, trio or small group format. So, what shock to hear Ms. Hilton open up this album with JD Allen/ts, Igmar Thomas/tp, Luques Curtis/b and Rudy Royston/dr with a version of Miles Davis’ classic “So What”. What can she bring to the table?

Well, a lot. Her intro to the tune hints at Bill Evans (as does much of her musings), but the touch is richer and throughout this rendition, much more gospel-tinged around the thick subtones of the soulful Allen. Of observation also is the presence of Curtis in the role of introducing a hefty number of the pieces, creating a finger snapping feel as Hilton deftly undulates in slinky fashion on “Momentary Mystery”, taps into her inner Horace Silver for a hip boogaloo with the horns on “Blues On The Beach” while waxing and waning for the palpable tones of Allen and cooing Thomas on “It’s Just For Now”.

A peppy “Here and There and Back and Forth” as the festive feel of Sergio Mendes as Hilton hammers out the celebratory chords in which Thomas digs deeply before putting on the Harmon mute and bringing a somber noir mood to Hilton’s “Wildflower”. In trio fashion, Hilton’s fingers cheerfully stride around Royston’s guiding sticks on “Sunset Tale” before closing out the album all alone with a richly ruminating “Spacious Skies” that flickers like a candle.

Like all great artists, Hilton continues to take on new world to explore, with this latest an impressive journey.~By George W. Harris