Pianist and keyboardist Christian Tumalan along with trumpeter Steffen Kuehn lead a big and boisterous big band that mixes salsa, swing and strings with bel canto voices from Armando Cordoba, Christelle and Braulio Barrera. There’s a bacchanal take of “A Night In Tunisia” that includes a searing solo by guest trumpeter Jon Faddis, driven by the drums of Dafnis Prieto, while a take of “Birk’s Works” includes a simmering guitar solo by Alex Britti while Tumalan hums on the Hammond. Kuehs’ trumpet glistens on a salsa’d read of Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare For The Common Man” while passioned vocal choruses and leads get bel canto on the big and bold “Mr. B’s Mambo” and dramatic “Le Temps D’ Un Horizon”. Salsa that is picante.