Rick Arroyo's passion is rhythm. It's clear from his CD, "on Fire in the Desert", that this pianist, composer, arranger, musician, who began his musical life in percussion, has kept his love for intricate rhythms alive as he marries them to jazz. Arroyo is joined by consummate musicians - and the record is loaded with fluid solo performances by his amazing horn players. The Duke Jordan composition, "Flight to Jordan", reminds us of Coltrane and Davis, especially in the melodic horn harmonic parts as the free-for-all winds down to a soft conclusion. The CD opens with "Blue Bossa" - listen to the horn solo - great. Percussion is far forward. Track 2, "Equinox", falls into a more traditional jazz accompaniment, however latin peppered with prominent percussion - again, the sax is fluid and beautiful. Rick slows things down with "Claudia", a night-club flugel-horn gorgeous mood. The CD includes both studio and live tracks recorded at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas, and his track, "Song for My Father" is featured twice - live and studio. The medium tempoed latin groover is a showcase for the band and a fitting tribute. The overall impact of the music lands between easy listening smooth jazz and modern be-bop mixed with intoxicating rhythms and musicians that can really blow. Nicely done.