| Jazz |
Certainly, this album, as its title suggests, offers little in the way of bold innovation. Instead, it serves as a beautifully crafted work, perfect for family gatherings over the holiday season. It’s an album to return to time and again, filled with familiar titles like ‘Round Midnight, My Funny Valentine, and Body and Soul, all rendered in an ultra-classic and exquisitely warm style—one likely to appeal to all generations with a taste for the traditional.
In this collection, Sandoval explores the softer side of the horn. These timeless standards, which have long evoked the depths of love and sorrow, are given fresh life through Arturo’s warm and inviting tone, joined by the exceptional talents of pianist Jeremy Siskind, bassist Brian Bromberg, and drummer Charles Ruggiero. Adding to this rich tapestry is the Budapest Scoring Orchestra, with a lush arrangement of 40 strings. The album was produced and arranged by trumpeter Tony Guerrero, with Bob Barrett’s sumptuous orchestrations rounding out the sound.
It’s the kind of album that doesn’t leave me with much to critique; everything is polished, perfectly executed, with not a note out of place. One can almost imagine the comforting crackle of a fireplace, the twinkling Christmas tree, snow falling softly, a glass of bourbon in hand, and a plush leather chair inviting you to sink in with a smile. In keeping with this scene, there’s even the most syrupy rendition of Smile I’ve encountered. For this beautifully performed but ultimately unadventurous album, I bestow three lovely stars.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, November 9th 2024
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