by Thom Jurek
This anthology of saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera's work inside and outside of Irakere in 1978 offers a view of the reedman as he was developing his mature jazz style adapted not only from the folk and dance musics of his native Cuba, but also from postmodern jazz. Among the ten tracks are cuts with Irakere as well as duets with Chucho Valdés, large-band dates (with a big-band date from Finland), and combo dates featuring countryman Arturo Sandoval on trumpet. Highlights include his own &Chikere -- Son,& his reading of Valdés' &Juana 1600,& and a gorgeous interpretation of Villa-Lobos' &Prelude No. 3.&