It seems remarkable that Arturo Sandoval never seems to win any jazz polls, for few trumpeters can come close to equaling his technique, jazz chops, and warm sound. On this advanced hard bop date, the music is strictly straight-ahead without any Latin rhythms. Sandoval matches wits quite successfully with clarinetistEddie Danielson two songs, tenor greatMichael Breckeron three (including a memorable rendition of"Moment's Notice"), and veteran flügelhornistClark Terryon a joyous"Mack the Knife." In addition, Sandoval pays tribute toWoody Shaw,John Coltrane, andDizzy Gillespie. Other highlights include the moody"Streets of Desire" (on which Sandoval plays piano), the racehorse tempo of"Real McBop" (which has an impossible but impeccably played melody chorus), and Sandoval's humorous use of the plunger mute on"It Never Gets Old." All in all, this is one of Arturo Sandoval's finest recordings to date.