| Banquet of the Spirits | |
| Type: | Album |
| Artist: | Cyro Baptista |
| Cover: | Banquet of the Spirits.jpg |
| Released: | March 18, 2008 |
| Recorded: | 2007 |
| Genre: | World music |
| Length: | 48:29 |
| Label: | Tzadik 7624 |
| Producer: | Cyro Baptista |
| Chronology: | Cyro Baptista |
| Prev Title: | Love the Donkey |
| Prev Year: | 2005 |
| Next Title: | Infinito |
| Next Year: | 2009 |
Banquet of the Spirits is an album by percussionist Cyro Baptista which featured the debut of the band that would become known as Banquet of the Spirits – Baptista, bassist Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz, keyboard player Brian Marsella, and drummer Tim Keiper – which was released on the Tzadik label in 2008.[1]
Thom Jurek of Allmusic said "Banquet of the Spirits isn't just a step forward for Baptista, it's a leap; it's the record he's been hinting at since his debut, where he interpreted the works of Heitor Villa-Lobos. And as such, it is undeniable in how provocative, powerful, and deeply enjoyable it is as a listening experience. Whether one relishes "progressive," "modern," "primitive," "art," or "pop" music, this one's for you".[2] On All About Jazz Sean Patrick Fitzell commented that "Though lacking the costumes and overt theatrics of his Beat the Donkey ensemble, Baptista's streamlined quartet is no less engaging: constantly changing instruments and styles to crank out high-energy romps with contagious enthusiasm".[3]
All compositions by Cyro Baptista except as indicated