David Sanchez, who has an appealing tone on the tenor (at times hinting at
Joe Henderson and
Stanley Turrentine), matches well with trumpeter
Roy Hargrove and the creative Latin percussionists during the first two numbers. However, at that point
Hargrove disappears (only popping up on "Sketches of Dreams") and the percussionists are often de-emphasized in favor of more straight-ahead music; three numbers are played with just a standard rhythm section. Pianists
David Kikoski and
Danilo Perez both have plenty of solo space, with
Perez's complex yet accessible style sometimes coming close at times to stealing honors. But
Sanchez's warm sound (which is quite appealing on the ballad "Tu Y Mi Cancion" and a tender "It's Easy to Remember") eventually emerges as the main star. Perhaps in the future he should do a full Latin album or an entire set of ballads. This sampler CD (which includes two outings on soprano) is a good example of his talents.