Pete Escovedo displays his wide musical interests on this consistently colorful set, enthusiastically playing salsa, Afro-Cuban jazz, bits of pop, and some straight-ahead jazz.
Escovedo's regular band (including pianist Joe Rutonudi,
Justo Almario on reeds, trumpeter
Ramon Flores, and two trombonists) is joined by quite a few guests along the way, including trumpeter
Ray Vega, guitarist
Ray Obiedo, pianist
George Duke, and
Sheila E. on vocals, drums, and percussion. The resulting music is not for purists of any style but for open-minded listeners who enjoy genre-crossing music that has plenty of fire and spirit. ~ Scott Yanow