Michel Camilo could have obscured his virtuosity in a large band, playing brilliantly and receiving critical acclaim from the denizens of dark, smoke filled nightclubs who would have loved him in a private way as he pounded his images into the keys above the brass section, above the reeds. Something told Michel that what he possesed was special, a blessing so rare that it needed a special setting, a forum where people could listen to the travels of his fingers, the musical flight of his fertile imagination. And so he chose the trio for this album, thank God! It was good enough for Oscar Peterson, for Eroll Garner, for Bill Evans, and perfect for Michel Camilo. For decades, those of us who love the person and the musician, knew deep down that quiet place of soul, due south, tropical south, where talent lies on every street corner, like diamonds shining brilliantly, waiting to be picked up by anyone who truly loves jazz. And each album Michel recorded placed him closer and closer to that pinnacle where he could not be judged by nationality, nor by his extensive knowledge of Afro-Antillian rhythms, but by his sheer pianistic genius, his overpowering harmonic sense of space and time, and his humble way of allowing others to shine as he reached out for our hearts and ears.This, then, is the album complete with all the jazz classics critics and public have used to determine who can make the grade and be accepted into the pantheon of piano masters. Michel takes each masterpiece and gives it a new outfit, complete with accessories and scent. He puts his indelible Camilian print on it without changing the drape of the musical cloth.-
from original liner notesArtist: Michel Camilo
Album: Thru My Eyes
Year: 1997
Label: RMM
Total playing: 73:46
Tracks:1. Poinciana (Nat Simon/Buddy Bernier) 5:08
2. Perdido (H.J. Lengsfelder/Juan Tizol/Erwin Drake) 5:08
3. Watermelon Man (Herbie Hancock) 4:27
4. A Night in Tunisia (Dizzy Gillespie/Frank Pappardelli) 6:09
5. Song For My Father (Horace Silver) 6:03
6. Armando's Rhumba (Chick Corea) 4:34
7. St. Thomas (Sonny Rollins) 5:28
8. Oye Como Va (Tito Puente) 3:42
9. Afro Blue (Mongo Santamaria) 6:07
10. Mambo Inn (Mario Bauza) 6:20
11. My Little Suede Shoes (Charlie Parker) 3:50
12. Manteca (Dizzy Gillespie/Chano Pozo/W. Fuller) 6:43
Personnel:Michel Camilo (Piano)
Anthony Jackson (Contrabass Guitar) - 3,6,8,10-12
Horacio Hernandez (Drums) - 2,4-6,8,10
Cliff Almond (Drums) - 1,3,7,9,11,12
Lincoln Goines (Bass) - 1,7,9
John Patitucci (Bass) - 2,4,5
