(Contemporary Jazz, Latin Jazz) Charlie Sepulveda - Sepulveda Blvd - 2009, APE (image+.cue), lossless

Grammy nominated Latin jazz band Charlie Sepulveda & the Turnaround released their latest album on May 29, 2009. The 11 track recording includes a collaboration with Christian Nieves, an innovative cuatro player who has played with the likes of Ricky Martin. Christian blends the sounds of Puerto Rico’s plena to help create an album that is original and upholds Charlie’s evolving trend to honor his Latin upbringing. "I always try to include a bolero, a danza or a plena in my albums," says Charlie. "I grew up with that music and I think it’s important to represent nuestra cultura y raíces (our culture and our roots)."
A continuation of their previous album, Sepulveda Boulevard includes material contributed by most of the band members, an undertaking normally done by Charlie. The individual input from each group member gives the album a personal touch and diversity in style. In the album’s 4th track, "Dois pra lá, dois pra cá," arranged by bassist Gabriel Rodríguez, Melisa Meléndez complements Charlie’s soothing trumpet melodies with her sensual vocals to produce this breathtaking ballad [an excerpt from the repertoire of amazing Brazilian singer Elis Regina - DrBull].
A pioneer of the Latin jazz scene in the Caribbean, Latin America and the U.S., Charlie continues to create a buzz in the jazz community. Hailed as one of the best trumpeters of our time, Charlie also devotes part of his time to teaching at the Conservatory of Music and volunteering at his local church in Luquillo. He has played and recorded among masters like: Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie, Giovanni Hidalgo, McCoy Tyner, Wynton Marsalis, Eddie Palmieri, Dave Valentín, Hilton Rúiz, Paquito D’Rivera, Michel Camilo, Sheila E., Marc Anthony and many others.
~Paulina Salach, jazzreview.com

Charlie Sepúlveda - trumpet & flugelhorn;
Eduardo Zayas - piano;
Gabriel Rodríguez - bass;
Gadwin Vargas - congas;
Raúl Maldonado - drums;
Norberto "Tiko" Ortiz - tenor sax.
Guests:
Christian Nieves - cuatro (#5);
Melisa Meléndez - vocals (#4).