If this stirring little hurricane of an album is any indication, Ramirez may one day inherit Dave Valentin's throne as top Latin flute player. But there's more to this Miami musician than simply lush, fluttery flute lines rising above the fiery rhythms of the percussive, improvisational opener "Sao Paulo." He's also an accomplished tenor saxman, playing aggressively and soulfully on the swinging, big-band flavored "Afro Blue."
On the brassy salsa dance number "La Comparsa," he leads with flute but adds his tenor to a zesty horn section which includes trumpet, baritone, and trombone. "Mambo Chekere" is an easier going tune that would almost ease over to the smooth jazz format. And while most of these tracks have an uplifting joy about them, Ramirez blows a low and sad tenor on the torchy "Historia de un Amor." There are also tasty arrangements of "Days of Wine and Roses" and Jobim's "Corcovado (Quiet Nights)." A talent to keep your eyes on. Jonathan Widran, AMG (getmusic.com)
"Ramirez exhibits the strenght found in some of the already established Latin Jazz musicians. His composing, producing and arranging covers a vast territory, including Cuban danzon, Brazilian samba and bossa nova and Argentinean tango.
Whether performing Ernesto Lecuona's "La Comparsa" or Mongo Santamaria's "Afro Blue," the one constant is Ramirez's powerful tone. Sometimes on Tenor sax, sometimes on flute, his sound is always smooth and full of nuances. Ramirez's sweet flute solo in the begining of "Mambo Chekere" leads to a daringly jam session.
The overwhelmingly sensuous and delectable tenor sax in Carlos Almaran's "Historia De Un Amor" is a powerhouse for the senses. Passion is abundant in each note Ramirez plays in this very strong debut album." Egidio Leitao, JazzTimes Magazine
