antiMusic.com: (Santana's) Bill Ortiz - From Where I Stand Review

(Santana's) Bill Ortiz - From Where I Stand
by Kevin Wierzbicki

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Ortiz is a trumpet player who's gained considerable notoriety as a member of Santana. He's been in the touring version of that band for the past decade and played on such memorable compositions as the massive hit "Smooth" from the Supernatural record as well as "The Game of Love" from Shaman.

From Where I Stand is primarily a jazz album that sounds nothing like Ortiz' work with Santana but it has many of the same qualities. Ortiz wrote about half the songs here and he opens the album with a fine pair; "Ayejaye" is a slinky cut that contrasts Ortiz' sublime flugelhorn play with funky guitar work from John "Jubu" Smith while "Little Sister, Little Brother" is set to a slow Steely Dan-style simmer with underlying funky edges provided by subtle Fender Rhodes fills and wordless cooing from female backup singers.

"Ease My Mind" is a vocal number sexed-up by silky-voiced guest Kenny Byars but "Slip Into It (Yay Area Remix)" is jazzy hip-hop featuring a brief rap from Fivehunnet and a smooth chorus from Monet Owens. Two versions of a Peter Apfelbaum-penned reggae tune called "Judgement Day" are included; the second version is a dub remix that is From Where I Stand's most experimental number and also a perfect example of how Ortiz functions as a band leader throughout---his flugelhorn and trumpet playing ring clear as a bell but he lets the rest of the band shine too as they stretch out.

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(Santana's) Bill Ortiz - From Where I Stand
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