““...the excellent Papaya CD is, without a doubt, a significant contribution to world guitar literature.””
““With clean, precise and swinging phrasing, he condenses the Baden Powell and Paulinho Nogueira traditions of playing with his blues and jazz roots. The result is a beautiful CD...Essential!””
““...one of the finest composer-player CDs of the year.””
““A great CD with beautiful compositions, melodic improvisation, and excellent guitar sound.””
““Papaya is a wonderful collection containing twelve of Rick’s original compositions filled with a mix of Brazilian rhythm, American blues and jazz, and even overtones of funk and ragtime. We highly recommend this recording to all lovers of the guitar and new creations for the guitar.””
““...guitarist Rick Udler echoes the best of the bossa nova/solo jazz guitar sound as played on nylon string classical guitar on his solo instrumental CD... Papaya provides a fine setting for Udler’s guitar expertise.””
““Udler’s disc is truly a gem. On Papaya, Rick Udler opens the window for us to enjoy his world of rich, deep and beautiful music.””
““Papaya, is a sensual set of original instrumentals. It reflects Udler’s international influences, transfusing his native rhythms into vibrant, engaging melodies and a supple finger style that’s drawn comparison to renowned jazz guitar masters such as Baden Powell, Earl Klugh, and Nogueira himself.””
““For every bit of Brazilian tropicalia like “Amigo Paulo” or “Dia de Sol” there are hybrids like “Nawlins,” rife with blue thirds and jagged 13th chords, as though Thelonious Monk had done a residency in Rio. If Stan Getz was the first notable jazzman to incorporate Brazilian style, Rick Udler - 40 years later - returns the favor: his music is thoroughly São Paulo but with a healthy infusion of blues, jazz, funk and ragtime.””
