"The immensely creative, angular compositions on this album have the same exotic flare as classics like “Caravan,” “Ad Lib on Nippon,” or “A Night in Tunisia,” but with a thoroughly 21st century attitude. Bandleader and bass player Ruben Samama seems to be drawing from a deep well of traditions, from Afro-Cuban to free-improv, from world fusion to chamber jazz. ‘Hotaru’ is such a standout album that it is hard to believe it's his debut recording." CDBABY ***** http://cdbaby.com/cd/rubensamama

 

If you are interested in buying Hotaru you can either download the album on iTunes or buy it to be shipped from CDBABY

 

1. Scherzo / leo Samama / arr. Ruben Samama / 8'39
2. En Hollande / Ruben Samama / 5'29
3. Taivaan Tunne / Kalevi Louhivouri / 6'08
4. Ji / Ruben Samama / 6'43
5. Goodbye / Gordon Jenkins / 8'41
6. Girotondo / Gabriele Mirabassi / 4'34
7. So / Augusto Pirodda / 3'40
8. Hotaru (for Taku) / Ruben Samama / 3'37
9. Witchhunt / Wayne Shorter / 6'55
10. W.W. (for walter) / Ruben Samama / 2'01

 

Alexandra Grimal - Tenorsax
Kalevi Louhivuori – Trumpet, Flügelhorn
Michal Vanoucek - Grand Piano
Ruben Samama – Acoustic bass
Marc Lohr – Drums

...Hotaru’ is such a standout album that it is hard to believe it's his debut recording.
CDBABY critic's pick 5/5 *****

 

...chapeau for this wonderful hour of music. You did more than impress me: you touched me.
Hein Van de Geyn

 

...expressiveness and reservation create an intriguing and admirable balance. ...individually very talented musicians in a band that is glorious as a group.
Frank Huser

 

... the group has his own distinct sound the comes with a lot of lyricism and space.
Rene de Hilster, - Jazzpodium.nl 5/5 *****

 

... A new European Jazz Quintet appears as a Comet!
Kwang-hyun Kim, - Jazz People Korea