Arturo Sandoval - Sangú

Facing the relentless stream of jazz releases that overwhelm platforms every week, it's almost inevitable to fall a bit behind, but SANGÚ establishes itself very quickly as an inevitability for Arturo Sandoval. This album doesn't just offer sterile technical mastery; it embodies a true artistic renaissance where the trumpet and composer revisit his history to pass notes on to future generations. Released in early May 2026 on label TM Records, the record marks a new chapter in his career, described as bold and deeply personal.

A bold and personal family writing style

Far from being a simple compilation of tracks, SANGÚ is the culmination of a family project designed to transmit musical heritage. Production was directed by Arturo Sandoval himself, along with his son Arturo "Tury" Sandoval III and his daughter-in-law Melody Lisman. This intergenerational collaboration reflects a clear desire for a bridge between past and future. The eponymous track "Sangú" is a reference to the maestro's trumpet, evoking his iconic instrument. Sandoval hopes this approach will serve as a bridge to transmit his heritage to future generations, thus transforming the release into an act of family transmission rather than a simple individual performance.

A successful blend of Afro-Cuban roots with classic styles and a modern sound

Sandoval's famous trumpet permeates the album with classic bebop, funk, and Afro-Cuban styles that made him famous, yet it sounds undeniably modern as well. The opus explores the artist's Afro-Cuban roots by blending these historical influences with contemporary textures. This contrast between jazz classicism and production modernity creates a unique sonic identity where Sandoval returns to his history while taking notes specifically to transmit them to future generations, never sacrificing his artistic signature.

Scat, Sangú, La Ventura, and Babalu Ayé: the heart of the project

The tracklist of twelve songs offers a varied exploration where each song anchors the message in this meditative writing. The song "Scat" opens the way with a free vocal approach, while "Sangú", the title track, serves as the central pivot in this personal theme. Further along, "La Ventura" and "Babalu Ayé" continue to anchor the album in its cultural roots while maintaining a lively rhythmic dynamic. These key songs anchoring the message demonstrate how Sandoval uses his trumpet to navigate between the classic bebop, funk, and Afro-Cuban styles that made him famous, but with undeniably modernity.

Verdict: an album where emotional coherence betrays some weaknesses

SANGÚ is the 49th studio album by Arturo Sandoval, released in early May 2026 on label TM Records. The album was produced by Arturo Sandoval, his son Arturo "Tury" Sandoval III, and Melody Lisman. It includes twelve tracks, among them Scat, Sangú, La Ventura, and Babalu Ayé. Released in early May 2026, it established itself as a major reference in the contemporary jazz landscape during its first week of release. The track "SANGÚ" comes from a playful pronunciation reflecting the joyful and familial spirit of the work. In the face of an incessant stream of jazz releases, week after week, it is almost inevitable to fall slightly behind. But SANGÚ establishes itself very quickly as self-evident. It is not simply a record that has been technically mastered. Arturo Sandoval blends history with reflections on the future in this opus where production directed by himself, his son "Tury" Sandoval III, and Melody Lisman reflects a family project designed to transmit musical heritage.