Arturo Sandoval is on a career roll. For awhile, the trumpeter was in danger of becoming a parody of himself, with blistering chops and volume that was as impressive as it was overwhelming. A few years ago, he got the big band bug, and did a tribute to Prez Prado, and then a lovely disc with strings. The move to rein in the stallion was a brilliant one, and this latest release, a tribute to his first American boss, Dizzy Gillespie, is a true work of art. The first thing that’s going to hit you as you listen to Sandoval and his all star lineup of Gary Burton, Bob Mintzer, Plas Johnson, Bob Sheppard, Joey DeFrancesco and Eddie Daniels is how fresh and alive bebop STILL sounds. Gordon Goodwin of Big Phat Band fame as well as Nan Schwartz do some clever arrangements of tunes like “Bebop” and “Con Alma” (which includes a classical string quartet), making these old chestnuts as hot as this morning’s loaf of bread. Mintzer sounds marvelous on a refreshed “Salt Peanuts,” while Eddie Daniels is as woody as Sequoia National Park on “Fiesta Mojo.” Sandoval himself is at the apex of his game here, blowing with energy but without blather on “A Night In Tunisia” (that also includes some great ‘bone work by Bob McDhesney) and some soulful note selection on “Birks Works.” A disc like this makes you wonder why you would waste time on 90 percent of what’s out there these days. This one is the real deal!
Concord Jazz
www.concordmusicgroup.com