Drummer
Antonio Sanchéz's debut recording as a leader is an impressive outing. An alum of both Berklee and the New England Conservatory of Music jazz studies programs, the percussionist has appeared on CDs by
Pat Metheny,
Michael Brecker,
Avishai Cohen and
Miguel Zenón. He leads a core quartet including bassist
Scott Colley plus saxophonists
Chris Potter and
David Sanchez, with
Metheny and
Chick Corea as special guests on selected tracks. The leader's four originals hold one's interest, especially his percolating "Challenge Within" and the alternately tense and freewheeling "Greedy Silence."
Sanchéz dominates the delightful off-kilter arrangement of
Joe Henderson's "Inner Urge," playing freely against the twin tenor saxes, while
Miles Davis' "Solar" is an unusual guitar/drum duet with
Metheny.
Corea contributed the infectious Latin-flavored opener "One for Antonio," a trio number with
Colley that showcases each of the musicians. The quartet is joined by
Metheny for the guitarist's hypnotic Latin ballad "Arena (Sand)."