Here’s some wonderful Brazilian/Latin music from an unlikely source. Alto/soprano saxist Lenny Sendersky and guitarist Tony Roman lead a quartet with Stee LaSpina/b and Matt Kane/dr along with guests Randy Brecker/tp, Joe Locke/vib and Cleve Douglass/voc for a mix of instrumental originals and vocal covers. Fragrant sambas such as “Chet” feature a sensuous soprano melding with Locke’s vibes, while Sendersky’s alto sears on a passionate “Tango.” Romano’s acoustic guitar flows and glows on the reflective “Desert Flower” while he melds with a warm toned Brecker on the delicate “Sophie.” Douglass’ rich and molasses voice digs deep on Ellington’s rarely unearthed “My Father’s Island” and floats in and out of Romano’s strings on “Nature Boy.” This Desert Flower blooms!
LeTo Records