Cultural Survival is the eighth CD by Puerto Rico-born saxophonist David Sanchez. The CD is released four years after its predecessor Coral. In the meantime, Sanchez was busy touring with his own band, with singer Dee Dee Bridgewater and with Pat Metheny. Especially the latter must have made an impression, because Cultural Survival is the first CD on which Sanchez uses a guitar instead of piano as
… an accompaniment and second solo instrument. Low Lund, originally from Norway, was the guitarist of choice for Sanchez. That was a good choice, because with its warm sound, Lund fits well with the solid sound of Sanchez's tenor saxophone. While Sanchez initially mainly played Latin jazz, he has gradually made his playing more comprehensive in the course of his career, which makes him a good example of the eclectic neo bop and modern creative jazz of today. With this he proves to belong once again to the list of Branford Marsalis, Joshua Redman, Roy Hargrove and Kenny Garrett, classy artists with whom he has all played. (HB)more