Lisa Hilton - Chalkboard Destiny

"We live in an exciting time of constant change..." is the introductory quote from the award winning composer, and acclaimed pianist Lisa Kristine Hilton, in her liner notes for her latest release "Chalkboard Destiny" - recorded with jazz luminaries JD Allen on tenor sax, Rudy Royston on drums and Luques Curtis on bass. It's an appropriate prelude for an album that unfolds with the track Rush Hour Rhapsody - quickly exposing the listener to the robust energy of Hilton's band. There's also a hard-to-pin-down energy flowing between Allen's explosive virtuoso displays, the dynamic details of Royston's accents and the booming lines of Curtis's bass alongside Hilton's fluid piano, which is impressive in a beguiling way. Allen's solo in the middle of Sympathy for Blues is astounding, and along with Curtis's agile bass, Royston's touch and the laid back retro charm of Hilton's piano you'll want to play this one over and over. Hilton conveys that the concept behind Chalkboard Destiny is the idea that our future, our destiny, can be continually reshaped, - implying that we are not beholden by history or traditional myths, allowing us a freedom in creation. The title track, Chalkboard Destiny, easily exhibits this concept with Royston's rim shots crackling for attention. Hilton shows her harmonic and emotional depth with her tender ballad, Temporary Lullaby, as well as the moving Waltz From Nowhere. The Joni Mitchell classic, Blue Boy showcases the compatibility of this group - Allen's dusky tenor a contrast to his band mates. Tracks Tropic of Tango, Myths & Fantasy, and Adventures & Alibis all explore Latin rhythms and engaging harmonic ideas as well. Café au Mojo, is a bright piece where traditional ideas abound. It's noteworthy that Grammy award winning engineers - Al Schmitt, Gavin Lurssen, Reuben Cohen, Fernando Lodeiro all contributed to the high quality soundscape. Altogether an exuberant exhibition of top notch players rallying around traditional ideas in new ways. Sounds like destiny.