by Scott Yanow
Live at the Blue Note is really a two-fer since it has a CD and a DVD of the same performance. Arturo Sandoval, one of the great trumpeters, leads his high-powered septet on a variety of diverse material. The up-tempo bop original &The Real McBop& introduces the audience to the strong solo playing of pianist Phil Magallanes, tenor saxophonist Felipe Lamoglia, Sandoval, and guitarist Rene Toledo. Other than a rapid section near its conclusion, &Eso Es lo Que Hay& is a throwaway funk tune that features call-and-response singing/chanting. &Eastern Blues& and &Blues for Diz& together form a long and continuous segment that, after the solos, features Sandoval showing off his virtuoso scatting; unfortunately it all goes on too long. Sandoval switches to piano for his ballad &A Lovely One& and &Surena,& which has some rich Cuban melodies before becoming &All the Things You Are.& Sandoval plays muted trumpet on the forgettable R&B ballad &If I Ain't Got You& and finally sings and indulges in some heated playing during the overlong &Rhythm of Our World,& which gets the audience dancing. The DVD is better than the CD because the visual aspect adds to the music and there are a few short interviews included as bonus material. But overall this is an erratic set, falling short of being one of Sandoval's more significant releases.