Claudio Roditi

Claudio Roditi takes a Brazilian-flavored look at a number of standards and familiar jazz compositions on these delightful sessions from 1992, with pianist Mark Soskin, bassist David Finck, and drummer Ignacio Berroa in his core group and various guests interspersed throughout the CD. The trumpeter's tone and phrasing are at a peak throughout the disc, and he switches to flügelhorn for a peppy rendition of "Without a Song." The upbeat samba treatment of "Speak Low" and bossa nova chart of "Come Rain or Come Shine" feature tenor saxophonist Andres Boiarsky, while the promising young tenor player David Sanchez is on hand for the midtempo arrangement of "Giant Steps" and gospel-infused "Moanin'." Guitarist Ed Cherry is added for the engaging uptempo samba interpretation of "Donna Lee," while harmonica player Hendrik Meurkens shines in Roditi's "Moody's Samba." Unfortunately, this rewarding CD has been allowed to lapse from print, so it is getting difficult to acquire. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide