On the Other Hand

Released in 1990 on Epic Records, On the Other Hand represents a pivotal moment in Michel Camilo's career where his 'classical-jazz-Latin synthesis' reached a peak of commercial and critical visibility. The album is notable for its inclusion of 'Suite Sandrine, Part III,' a continuation of his signature compositional series, and a reimagining of Dizzy Gillespie's 'Birk’s Works.' Critics at the time, including those from Newsday and The Globe and Mail, highlighted Camilo's unique ability to prefigure a multicultural future through his playing. The recording features a high-fidelity production that captures the percussive nature of his piano attack, a hallmark of his Dominican heritage. It stands as a bridge between the traditional Latin jazz of the past and a more avant-garde, technically demanding future, solidifying Camilo's place as a premier virtuoso of the 1990s jazz scene.