When you visit a franchise restaurant, you always know what will be on the menu and what it will taste like. When you listen to a Bill O'Connell recording you may not know what is on the menu, but you're guaranteed it'll be a gourmet delight. Mr. O'Connell's Imagine serves up a 9-course feast of fascinating sounds that will please even the most discerning ears. As in O'Connell's previous recording (Zócalo, Savant SCD 2129), the gifted veterans and leaders in their own right, Conrad Herwig on trombone and saxophonist Steve Slagle add their prowess to the mix. On the bass is the amazingly talented young man, one of NYC's first call bassists, Luques Curtis who was also part of Bill's prior CD, as was percussionist Richie Flores, who has been playing with O'Connell for more than a decade. The newcomer to the group is drummer Richie Barshay who has an impressive résumé that includes a stint with Herbie Hancock. O'Connell gives his arranging chops a real workout with interesting takes on "Willow Weep for Me" and John Lennon's "Imagine," and penned some new originals specifically for this recording from a powerful voice in Latin Jazz.

BILL O'CONNELL, piano & arrangements
THE LATIN JAZZ ALL-STARS – Conrad Herwig, trombone • Steve Slagle, soprano & alto saxophone • Luques Curtis, bass • Richie Barshay, drums • Richie Flores, percussion

TRACKS: Optimism • Stepping Stones • Imagine • Shaman's Dance • Missing Mr. Berrios • Jigsaw • 25 Years • Willow Weep for Me • Whitecaps

TT = 59:26

 Imagine

 Jigsaw

 25 Years

 Willow Weep for Me