Danzon (Dance On)

by Ron WynnTrumpeter Arturo Sandoval comes close on Danzon to cutting the Afro-Cuban masterpiece everyone's awaited since his glorious sound first surfaced. From the animated solos on "Africa," "Tres Palabras," and "Conjunto" to the flowing, crisply articulated lines on "Groovin' High," Sandoval plays with imagination, verve and flair, displaying a more original and distinctive concept than on any of his GRP albums to date. He's joined by many top Latin musicians, plus special guest ringers like Vikki Carr, Bill Cosby, and Gloria Estefan, but there's no pandering or stylistic compromises to integrate them into the proceedings. For those who've longed for Sandoval to cut loose, here's the evidence that justifies his reputation.