Quatro: The Definitive Collection assembles four truly classic Tito Puente albums recorded between 1955 and 1960 for RCA, and adds a disc of outtakes, alternate takes, and rarities in a lavishly designed limited-edition box set. The box is 6" x 6" with each album housed individually in a thick cardboard sleeve with back and front facsimile cover art. These four albums were cut in chronological order: Cuban Carnival (1956), Night Beat (1957), Dance Mania (1958), and Revolving Bandstand (1960), the last recorded in collaboration with the Buddy Morrow Orchestra.
Guitarist Steve Khan sounds quite laid-back throughout this set, even when soloing at his most passionate. He is featured in a wide variety of material and fares quite well in each setting. With bassist John Patitucci sometimes taking solo honors, Khan explores a Latinized version of "I Mean You" and an obscure Ornette Coleman tune ("Mr. and Mrs. People"), has features for flugelhornist Randy Brecker ("Face Value") and bass clarinetist Bob Mintzer (the Bitches Brew-inspired "El Faquir"), and modernizes one of his father's songs ("You're My Girl").
Si el jazz es el arte de la sorpresa, el contrabajista Javier Colina ha cumplido a fondo con la vieja definición de Whitney Balliet en éste, que sepamos, su primer disco como líder. Agente principal del jazz flamenco con el trío de Chano Domínguez, sideman de estrellas internacionales del jazz, colaborador permanente de los flamencos, Colina podía haber salido por cualquiera de estos palos. Pero el contrabajista también ha tocado con Compay Segundo y la Fort Apache Band, y lo sigue haciendo con Bebo Valdés. Y Colina se fue con el saxofonista valenciano Perico Sambeat a grabar a los legendarios estudios EGREM de La Habana, con un amplio arco de músicos cubanos de varias generaciones. Y juntos abordan diversos palos.