This album is both addicting and mesmerizing. From the first strains of Spider fingers to the last notes of Cruise control, Bruce Hornsby proves that he is the consumate musician and story teller. He's racked up a bunch of superior musicians and vocalists to work with here. Incuded are Jazz guitarist Pat Metheney, country Banjoist Bela Fleck and the always funky and fabulous diva Chaka Khan. All of them give stellar performances, but none outweigh the arresting presence of Bruce himself. The cd just gets better and better with each track, my favorites are "White wheeled limosine" the story of a jilted bride and "Country doctor" the story of a doctor who's wife dies under mysterious circumstances. The music is jazzy and jammin not the pop piano songs that you might expect. It's hard to believe that this is the same guy who wrote "The way it is". Patty Hayes

After a musical stumble in "Harbor Lights," Bruce Hornsby gets back on his feet and delivers a masterpiece. While lacking a haunting ballad like "Mandolin Rain" or "The Valley Road," "Hot House" is probably Bruce's most consistent and satisfying recording. As with "Harbor Lights," "Hot House" adds jazz influences to Bruce's Appalachian-rock. But, while "Harbor Lights" is mired in adult-contemporary noodling, "Hot House" kicks the intensity up several notches, and the jazz influences create a hearty, funky musical stew. "Hot House" is, in my opinion, the true musical heir of Lowell George's classic Little Feat recordings - and I can think of few higher compliments for a roots-rock album.

In my view both "Harbor Lights" and "Hot House" are musical masterpieces, since they feature a very entertaining and skillful fusion of pop and jazz music. Listeners who are not to keen on "pure" Jazz, but like a few jazzy interludes here and there will love this CD. Also a big plus: the guests apperaring on this recording, e.g. Bela Fleck's superb Banjo playing on "White Wheeled Limousine", or Jerry Garcia's very last guitar solo of his life in "Cruise Control".

Undoubtedly Hornsby's best studio recording to date. Each song has its own character while still retaining his hybrid, jazz-pop trademark. He made the right decision to leave the Range and this cd really proves it (not to diminish his work done on harbor lights which was also fantastic). But this cd shows how his confidence has grown while deciding to become independent. And if fans from his early days say he cannot produce songs quite like he used to than check out "Walk in the Sun". Anyways, he's not quite solo on this cd, getting lots help from virtuoso jazz-guitarist Pat Metheny who contributes to about half the songs and who was a major influence, even on his last record. On some pieces Metheny really is the main star such as on "The Changes". On others he and Hornsby feed off each other to produce songs such as "Country Doctor" which I feel is absolutely brilliant and maybe even the pinnacle of the cd and a highlight of his career. Both musicians show their sheer talent on this song while telling a complex story, which is similar to "White Wheeled Limosine". That is something not easily achieved and so successfully, (even though overlooked) in the music industry. Personally, I consider the whole work in its entirety a masterpiece in its particular field, from the funky-high energy "Spider Fingers" all the way to "Cruise Control". There is a lot more depth and substance musically than his time spent with the Range. Not one bad song, and I do not say that often. I highly reccomend you pick up a copy.

This album is perfect for those who are intrigued by the harmony of jazz, but are frustrated when they hear jazz players who play so far "outside" that any hint of the original tune/hook is lost. If you hear yourself scream "Where's the melody?!?!" while listening to most jazz, then this disc as well as Harbor Lights is for you. Hornsby is one the few virtuosos who is also a superb songwriter, but he writes jazz flavored pop. Steely Dan did too (and I love them), but most of this is more atmospheric, spacey, and angular in the chord changes. If you love alot of the old ECM jazz albums like Pat Metheny and Jan Garbarak, this should please you. The song "The Changes" absolutely floored me the first time I heard it--I thought I was hearing the Pat Metheny Group (Metheny plays on that and other songs). Also, the musicians-for-hire are excellent, but other reviews here touch on that, so.....
In any case, if you like clever pop/folk songwriting that's heavily jazz flavored and features unbelievable playing, check this disc out and give your money to a truly talented pianist who dares to go against the grain of today's souless popular styles.