Highest Wish is Bill Ortiz’s 3rd release as a solo artist. This album is a representation of his wide musical voice and expression, traversing across jazz, hip-hop and R&B. The release features newly recorded original compositions as well as some remix versions of songs from his first release “From Where I Stand”, giving them new life as fresh interpretations.
Bill enlists some of the best artists in hip-hop, R&B and jazz. Casual of (The Hieroglyphics), Zion I rapper Zumbi, and The Grouch all make strong socially insightful contributions. Vocalists include multiple Grammy Award winning Tony Lindsay from Santana, Cait La Dee, Luqman Frank, Omega Rae, Ken Byars and Femi Andredes. In addition, Bill collaborated with such visionary producers/writers as Phoenix Black, K-Maxx, Lloyd Richmond, DJ Soul Rising and Steve Heithecker. Keyboardists David K. Mathews (Santana, Etta James) and Mike Aaburg, and guitarists Charles Spikes and John “Jubu” Smith all make significant appearances. The iconic vocalist Linda Tillery makes a memorable spoken word performance of the Reverend Martin Luther King’s Noble Peace Prize speech on the remix track “I Still Believe”.
Bob Davis of soul-patrol.com writes: “If you are a funk music fan, then you will love this album. If you are a jazz music fan, then you will love this album. If you are a hip hop music fan, then you will love this album”.