The Miguel Zenón quartet on his 12th recording as leader with Venezuelan pianist Luis Perdomo and bassist Hans Glawischnig goes all the way back to 1999; his compatriot Henry Cole replaced Antonio Sanchez on drums in 2005. Zenón leads a thoroughly enjoyable tribute to the legendary Afro-Rican Salsa singer Ismael ‘Maelo’ Rivera, still a household name in Zenón's nativeland, even after having passed away more than 30 years ago. The pieces are selected from a songbook associated with Rivera that spans the period from the 1950-70s. The album title Sonero means ‘vocal improvisation’ and it is Rivera's innovations in rhythm and pulse that Zenón and his band are specifically focused on here, rather than to any stylistic adherence. This proves a very positive approach triggering a sizzling high-spirited blend of jazz and various folklorist elements. Zenón blows with real fire in his belly and his unapologetic latin-fuelled modernism is all the more refreshing taking into account the current appetite for more lean-toned altoists. A noteworthy celebration then of a figure who's comparatively unknown outside the South American and pan-Caribbean music world.