Rhythmic Jubilee is appropriately titled, since the word jubilee is synonymous with 'festival' or 'celebration' which this album assuredly is, i.e. The other longer than usual song on the album is the piano duet (plus rhythm accompaniment) 'Island Beat' which (not surprisingly) has the strongest element of world fusion running through its seven and a half minutes, evoking the sun-drenched party atmosphere of the Caribbean (although the use of tropical-sounding percussion instruments throughout the album lends most cuts at least a partial 'island' feel). Soon enough, all the players gather in and the tune heads into cheery and funky territory, with everyone seeming to have a great time playing together. 'Tropical Moon' closes out the album with its slowly evolving eight and half minutes, starting off with introspective solo piano as the notes sparkle like moonlight off the surface of the ocean. 'Travelin' ' which fires up immediately after it, resets to zero and gets the blood pumping and feet tapping with Ophelia's rapid runs on the piano as well as plenty of pumping bass and a jazzy funky rhythm laid down on the drums. Probably the slowest cut on the album, and the one that comes the closest to approaching a new age music sensibility, is 'Crossroads,' although the song still features plenty of kinetic drum work by Afanador, but at a lower energy level than other selections. He can obviously play too as evidenced on 'Sun Screams' where the two of them go back and forth, lighting up the skies with their talent. Violinist Deming gives her a run for the money, though. Her fiercely dramatic keyboard artistry literally grabs your attention and seldom lets you go. But, of course, it's her piano playing that dominates this CD.

the opening title track, as well as providing appropriate support on the more relaxed (relatively speaking as nothing here is actually THAT relaxed) vibe on songs like 'Pale Golden Moon.'Д«esides playing piano, Ophelia also handles some synth strings on the song 'Island Beat' and some synth and marimba on the title track.

Afanador and Rodriguez stay with Ophelia's high-spirited pyrotechnics on, e.g. The rhythm section on this album is among the strongest and tightest I've heard in a while. On almost every track, Ophelia is joined by drummer Jo Tan Afanador and bassist Stevestyles Rodriguez, and on some tracks by violinist Larry Deming with additional keys and piano on one song from Paula Handberry, who I assume is the artist's sister since Ophelia last name is the same. I was reminded of albums such as McCoy Tyner's Trident more than once. Despite the presence of palm trees on the cover of the album, this is high octane passionate jazz fusion music, literally exploding at times with energy and fire. This is no George Winston CD, so don't come looking for a laid-back relaxing musical excursion. One thing that's instantly apparent on Rhythmic Jubilee (well, by the first minute of the first track at least) is that Ophelia can play some mean piano! She really lights it up, folks.

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