Subtext

On ,, Subtext" guitarist Steve Khan leads a sizzling team of Ruben Rodriguez/bass, Dennis Chambers/drums, Marc Quinone s/perc and Bobby Allende/congas through some Latinized takes of post bop tunes as well as his own wonderful compositions. With guest Randy Brecker on flugelhorn, the band grooves on a fluid reading of Ornette Coleman's "Bird Food" while Roby Mounsey's keyboards provide red meat for Kahn's fluid soloing on "Blue Subtext" and the spicy salsa-ed "Heard." Some rich and luscious orchestrations frame Khan's energetic pickings on the bopping take of Freddie Hubbard's "Baraka Sasa" and the expressive reading of Wayne Shorter's "Infant Eyes." A festive "Cada Gota De Mar" mixes Khan's clean lines with Gil Goldstein's accordion, some hip coro and Mariana Ingold's ethereal voice. Just as invigorating is a celebrative reading of Thelonious Monk's "Hackensack" leading to a sensuous "bait and Switch" that closes the enticing album with confidence and style.