People may not know the name Bill Ortiz, the super star trumpeter and Bay Area Native, but the moment they heard Santana’s “Smooth” they knew his sound.  He’s been garnering the respect of his touring peers (having toured with Santana as well) for many years, and now he’s chosen to release an album of his own musical voice with From Where I Stand.

This will be the second freshmen effort lately from a Bay Area artist who’s a master of their craft on the road and in the studio.  Victor Little’s Inner Portrait was another shockingly good record recently released.   It’s good for Jazz, and it’s great for the Bay Area music scene.   We need to get out there and support these artists people, but that’s for another article.

Ortiz showcases his keen abilities when it comes to executing his thoughts into compositions.  The music hits like sweet, soulful jazz with varied new school flavorings.  He is seemingly a lover of all music, as his work holds true to jazz without keeping the sound stuck in the past.  The funky sway of Ortiz’s horn on  “AyeJaye”, the waw waw feel of the bassline and the plonk of the guitar, weaving amongst the keys, make it a killer introductory track.  It’s jazzy hip hop, it’s jazzy soul, hell why quantify it; it’s damn good.  “Little Sister, Little Brother” brings it down a bit.  He gets his groove thing down on this cut.  The subtle background vocals are a nice touch, and the breakdown of Ortiz’s horn coupled with the pounding, well-mixed bass is as smooth as it gets.  This record was agressively engineered, and the overall grandness of the sound is well articulated; tight and focused.

The kick drum on “Word Play” and the use of some knockin’ pads (along with a seemingly live whistle, as if from the crowd) make this track feel like sweet, jazzy drum-n-bass peppered with a taste of nu school soul.  The sultry, yet poppy vocals on “Slip Into This” give it an old school Soul II Soul, Back To Life kinda vibe.  Any artist who lists a track of theirs as a “Tribute to Donny Hathaway” is alright in my book (yes, of course it should be good too).  I know Arif (Mardin) loved him, and he was such an inspirational and pioneering artist.  His music is truly timeless.

Ortiz pays tribute to the artist on “In Every Breath”; a classy tune with a vintage feel, a sound that traverses many styles and themes, all seemingly in tribute to Hathaway’s many talents.  “Slip Into This” gets a remix treatment and a new title; “Slip Into It” for track 10 (the Yay Area mix).  Here we get to hear Ortiz providing the glue for a solid hip hop interpretation of his original.  Ras Dru also lends some dub remix chops on Ortiz’s “Judgment Day” (renamed “Judgment Dub”; track 12).  The resulting re-work is some nice atmospheric roots dub, reminiscent of the great Dreams of Freedom, Ambient Translations of Bob Marley in Dub on Axiom.

From Where I Stand is a splendid album from an artist who clearly finds his home in jazz but isn’t afraid to step outside those walls and make music that stems from everywhere he’s been.  Bravo Mr. Bill Ortiz.  I’m glad we’re getting to hear what you’ve got to say with your music.

The street date for the record is July 14th.

*All Photos belong to Bill Ortiz under Copyright