A “tipico” album of smooth jazz and Salsa, Pete Escovedo’s 5th Concord release is reminiscent of Tito Puente’s popular appeal. Mambo, guajira, cha cha cha, bolero and samba provide the listener a romantic evening with gentle, flowing motion. Escovedo’s heartfelt vocals, sensitive guest instrumentalists and his family’s rhythmic, percussive accompaniments drive the session. Son Peter Michael, daughters Sheila & Zina, and wife Juanita help balance the latest family project. Since the early 1950s, family has influenced Escovedo’s professional music choices. His brothers played guitar, sang, and shared a professional interest in Latin percussion. Pete and his brother, Thomas “Coke” Escovedo, performed with Carlos Santana for quite some time before forming their own 14-piece jazz-influenced band, Azteca.

Singing with a light, expressive tenor voice and entertaining with timbales & congas, Escovedo evokes romantic scenes through song. Soloists Justo Almario, Ray Vega, Ramon Flores, Art Velasco, Francisco Torres, George Duke and Joe Rotundi lend creative energy and passion. The fiery, Afro-Cuban “Escolandia” lends a traditional touch. And just in time for Mardi Gras, Almario’s soprano sax feature on “La Samba” seems to ooze the sun’s warmth amid a chorus of lovely wordless vocals. It’s a love fest for Valentine’s Day, appropriately caressed by such familiar phrases as “Bueno, mi famlia” and “Yo te quiero mucho.”