Crossing Borders

Eva Cortes mixes languages and moods with her flexible team of Pepe Rivero/p, Luques Curtis/b, Robby Ameen/dr, Luisito Quintero/perc, MarvinSewell/g and a snappy horn section along with simpatico guests. Her voice is husky and breathy sensuous on the intimate "Corazon" and spacious during her aria intro to the salsa'd "Sabor a Mi." The horns add funky soul as Cortes saunters with Jon Cowherd's piano on "Deja Vu" and Doug Beaver's horn pleads along with the singer on the undulating "Quizas." Christian McBride guests as bassist on the bopping "Piel Canela" while the band gets elegiac on the dramatic "Rabo de Nube." Rich earth tones.