A brilliant if little-known improviser,
Tony Martinez on alto recalls Richie Cole's tone a bit, while on tenor he looks more toward
Michael Brecker. His solos fall between advanced hard bop and Afro-Cuban jazz. On this release, he wrote all nine pieces, including tributes to
Emiliano Salvador and
John Coltrane ("Coltrane My Giant," which is a Latinized "Giant Steps").
Martinez' "Cuban Latin Jazz" group is a septet with both
Julio Padron and Mathieu Michel on trumpet. There are also many guests on this CD, including five background vocalists, several percussionists, and pianist
Gonzalo Rubalcaba. Rubalcaba's presence does not stop
Martinez from featuring his own piano on "Tony's Cha Cha Cha," one of the set's highpoints. Highly recommended.