is a prolific drummer, percussionist, composer, and bandleader who has amassed more than 900 recording credits. After touring with during the '60s and playing with in Las Vegas, he became a member of from 1975 to 1978, playing on and . He has been a recording and touring sideman to a dazzling array of artists ranging from to . In addition to releasing half-a-dozen albums under his own name, has played on more than 900 recordings, including soundtracks. marks his debut for . The album reunites the drummer/percussionist with his longstanding band , which includes Venezuelan keyboardist , Peruvian guitarist , and Nuyorican bassist . They are joined by a newcomer, Peruvian saxophone powerhouse . The lineup is buoyed on select tracks by cellist , trumpeter , and vocalists . Groove is the name of the game on this ten-track set. Opener "In Town" is jaunty as a Fender Rhodes, bumping bassline, and breaking snares create a foundation for the frontline instruments to deliver a sweeping, nearly transcendent lyric line. They rhythm section adds a funky backbeat as delivers a pastoral solo. "Postlude" is rendered with lilting instrumental backdrops along the illustrative head, recalling some of early 's smoother moments. The third track is a cover of co-founder 's immortal "Mercy Mercy Me" composed while a member of 's legendary sextet. The version was a hit single, while this one is deep but fingerpopping, relying more on funky R&B than soul-jazz and offering a killer guitar break from . Other highlights include "Chuncho," a Latin groover with syncopated horn charts, soaring Afro-Cuban chorus vocals from , and interlocking percussion from the bandleader. There is also a wonky 12/8 version of 's early classic "One Finger Snap" (from 1964's ) with elastic swing provided by 's vocal twins with tenor sax as breezy guitar and piano ride above layers of rumbling bass and hand percussion. 's cello takes the lead in "Divina" with glorious asides from . "Regalo" is an atmospheric ballad with sparse yet kaleidoscopic percussion that serves to ground the spectral, shimmering keyboards. On "Melancia" uses a nylon-string guitar in conjuring a breezy samba, as 's wordless vocals float above 's tumbao bassline while sax and guitar offer a lyric head and melodic fills. Set-closer "Aletin Aletin" weds jazz fusion and slick New York salsa amid a swinging tempo and glorious interplay from the horns. On , the 77-year-old is a somewhat reserved bandleader; he never longs for the spotlight. Instead, he has his band carry the message in the music on this wonderfully conceived, expertly performed offering. ~ Thom Jurek