This magnificent quartet of top Puerto Rican musicians was put together in 2003 for a US State Department Jazz Ambassadors’ programme tour of six African countries. Most of the music here, recorded eight years later, was developed during, or inspired by, this trip. There are two covers – Tito Puente’s classic ‘Oye Como Va’, later a hit in the 1970s for Santana (though this version bears little or no relationship to either) and Silvio Rodriguez’ lesser known ‘El Necio’. It’s so good to hear the brilliant Zenón in such an informal setting, as always adhering to his Puerto Rican roots, but blowing wild and free American-inspired jazz over these exciting native grooves, especially after the relatively disciplined classical and folklore-based music on his two most recent recordings. Valentin’s electric bass plays a prominent role throughout, in a way replacing the piano in places, while Escapa and De Jesus make a really exciting rhythmic team. The aforementioned ‘Oye Como Va’ treatment lasts for over 14 minutes and the way in which Zenón teases with the beat and the melody line following a forceful solo is one of the CD’s high spots, as is the rhythmically complex 11-minute free-sounding ‘Double Edge’ at the end of the album. It was recorded live over two nights at a club called El Taller Ce in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, and admission was only ten bucks. What a bargain! My sources tell me Miguel’s touring with the group and that it gets more inspired at every show. Let’s hope he comes here soon.