Ray Mantilla
“
It is very stimulating, captivating and delicate music, in which we find South American and African elements skilfully juxtaposed in great homogeneity that permeates not only the themes of Mantilla and Martinez, but also the pieces of North American derivation
„
Enzo Fresia, Musica Jazz
«Ray Mantilla understands time. I’m talking about the juxtaposition of a deep reverence for tradition and a deep search for vital expressions both today and tomorrow. In a sense, it is like talking about the future in an ancient language. Ray understands this. An important part of understanding time is understanding space. The space that Mantilla occupies in both the jazz and Latino genres is of great importance. Ray is equally comfortable with the fifth flat and the clave. He understands that jazz and Latino music are fingers of the same hand, or if you understand time, the hands of the same clock».
James Browne, WBGO/Jazz 88
«It goes without saying that the meeting between Mantilla’s Space Station and Bobby Watson is highly aromatic and lively, despite being a thousand miles away from commonplace entertainment. The general attitude held by the musicians is of great rigor – just listen to how well the funky sortie of bassist Ruben Rodriguez fit, with a rhythmic charge that is lacking in the counterparts of rock. The forerunner of this solar music, it should be remembered, remains Horace Silver, and we can only rejoice that the furrow he traced many years ago still knows how to produce exciting fruits like this Dark Powers.».
Giuseppe Piacentino, Musica Jazz
«Ray Mantilla understands time. I’m talking about the juxtaposition of a deep reverence for tradition and a deep search for vital expressions both today and tomorrow. In a sense, it is like talking about the future in an ancient language. Ray understands this. An important part of understanding time is understanding space. The space that Mantilla occupies in both the jazz and Latino genres is of great importance. Ray is equally comfortable with the fifth flat and the clave. He understands that jazz and Latino music are fingers of the same hand, or if you understand time, the hands of the same clock».
James Browne, WBGO/Jazz 88
«It goes without saying that the meeting between Mantilla’s Space Station and Bobby Watson is highly aromatic and lively, despite being a thousand miles away from commonplace entertainment. The general attitude held by the musicians is of great rigor – just listen to how well the funky sortie of bassist Ruben Rodriguez fit, with a rhythmic charge that is lacking in the counterparts of rock. The forerunner of this solar music, it should be remembered, remains Horace Silver, and we can only rejoice that the furrow he traced many years ago still knows how to produce exciting fruits like this Dark Powers.».
Giuseppe Piacentino, Musica Jazz