Arturo Sandoval

The Rediscovery collection from GRP offers a comprehensive look at the work of a few very fine musicians and their work with the trendsetting label. Included in the list of artists whose work has been compiled in this format are Diane Schuur, Yoshiko Kishino, the GRP All-Star Big Band, and of course, Arturo Sandoval. In the case of Sandoval, the two-disc set features selections from four different records. The material is clustered together, giving listeners the chance to acclimate themselves to the new colors and styles offered by the different recordings, often separated by style and time period. The first of the two discs presents material from Sandoval's 1996 recording Swingin' and 1995's Arturo Sandoval & the Latin Train. One must give credit to any artist who can so effortlessly excel in two such different styles. On Swingin', a very straight-ahead jazz project, Sandoval's golden tone and languid phrasing glide and sway gracefully over the top of his stylish, confident rhythm section. Conversely, in a more traditional Cuban vein, his voice on Arturo Sandoval & the Latin Train is positively screaming. Keeping the "jazz first, Latin second" pattern of the first CD, the second disc features selections from 1992's I Remember Clifford and 1993's Danzon. The first half is dedicated to standards and crowd favorites as opposed to Sandoval's originals. In the hands of these masters, these tried-and-true melodies never sounded so good. The earlier material has a brighter, crisper sound when compared to the darker, cooler sounds heard earlier on the collection. Danzon favors delicately orchestrated instrumentals over the almost-salsa flavor of The Latin Train. Whatever the year or style of choice, Arturo Sandoval has managed to distinguish himself as one of the most sophisticated Latino musicians of his time. With a sound that is unmistakably his own, both in his compositions and on his instrument, he has left an indelible mark on Latin jazz in the 20th century, and seldom has that been better displayed than on Rediscovery on GRP. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, All Music Guide