AMG Review of Very Best of Arturo Sandoval

Al Campbell
All Music Guide

Very Best of Arturo Sandoval contains 11 well-chosen tracks taken from the Cuban jazz trumpeter, focusing on his '90s recordings for the GRP label. The majority of these tracks are Sandoval originals that show off his technical ability and agile virtuosity, especially on "The Latin Trane," "A Mis Abuelos," and his intimate use of a mute on the laid-back, bluesy "It Never Gets Old." Also exceptional are Sandoval's takes on Clifford Brown's "Daahoud" and Dizzy Gillespie's "Be-Bop." Collectors will already have all this material, but the novice will find this disc to be a useful introduction to Sandoval.