Continuing his explorations of the electric guitar within the framework of Latin music, jazz guitar ace Steve Khan released Patchwork in 2019 on the Tone Center label. Steve’s recent albums including Backlog (2016), have earned him the title “the voice of the guitar in Latin jazz”. With only one Khan original on the 9-track, 77 minute CD, the bulk of Patchwork centers on Khan covers of classics penned by music legends including Thelonious Monk, Ornette Coleman, Keith Jarrett and more, with all the tracks imbued with a jazzy Latin accent. Much of the Latin influence can be felt thanks to the percussion of Marc Quiñones and Bobby Allende, who add in some exotic sounding sounds on conga, bongo, timbale and assorted percussion. The band Steve uses on Patchwork is top rate too, including Rubén Rodriguez (baby bass and electric bass), Dennis Chambers (drums) and Rob Mounsey (keyboards), who brings in orchestrations. Horn sounds from Randy Brecker and Bob Mintzer appear on a couple tracks as does the keyboards / arranging of Jorge Estrada. Liner notes by Rafael Vega Curry offers a glimpse into Steve Khan’s musical concepts. A very cool album filled with Afro-bolera and cha-cha rhythms, Patchwork is a globe-spanning album of instrumental guitar tracks seasoned with the World Groove sound of Latin musical vibes.