This is Latin Jazz at it’s best!…what Brachfeld and Corniel have acheived here is another chapter in the ongoing mix of Latin Jazz that is guaranteed to sound authentically exceptional regardless of your listening point of origin…

Bob Blumenthal, Jazz Journalist

…Their renditions bare their unique stamp; high on musicality and swing, kept under reins by their gentle Latin styles. These two leaders share a musical sensibility and create magnificent performances of wonderful arrangements. The high musicianship is shared by a mature and masterful band. Beyond Standards certainly takes you exactly where its title promises. These familiar tunes are each given special treatment, with interesting and unusual arrangements. Brachfeld and Corniel are talented musicians who share the leading chores of this release as if they were one musician. Their unique identities compliment each other well. This companionship is only strengthened by the fabulous band. Great arrangements of great tunes, performed by a great band. There’s no way you can go wrong with Beyond Standards.

Dave Miele, Jazz Improv Magazine

Beautiful collaborative effort by two of our favorite musicians: percussionist Chembo Corniel and flautist Andrea Brachfeld. This is also perhaps the last session pianist Hilton Ruiz participated in. Highly Recommended.

Bruce Polin, descarga.com

…Expertly done, courtesy of rocking percussionists and some heavyweight players. This is slick, groove-laden music…but always wins with its effusiveness. Ms. Brachfeld’s playing is charismatic, and she sounds particularily good when blasting through unisons with Turre and the wonderful, sadly missed Ruiz on Coltrane’s “Transition” and the barnstorming “E.S.P.” Overall this is an interesting take on repertoire and an expertly delivered Latin Jazz disc.

Jason Bivins, Cadence Magazine

Kendall Park flutist Brachfeld and her N.Y.C. conga-playing partner Corniel address eight staples of the jazz repertoire and two originals, all with some kind of Latin kick. Their ace colleagues include the late Teaneck piano monster Hilton Ruiz (one of his last recordings), Montclair trombone stalwart Steve Turre, and noted Latin drummer Vince Cherico. Coltrane’s “Transition” runs from Ruiz’s dancing lines and Brachfeld’s crisp statements to a percussion barrage centered on Corniel. On George Shearing’s boppish “Conception,” Brachfeld, Ruiz and Turre deliver fluid, meaty statements. Strayhorn’s “Chelsea Bridge” is a stellar bolero, with Turre’s muted horn and Sam Bardfeld’s violin adding flavor. Ellington’s evocative “African Flower” and Eddie Harris’ “Freedom Jazz Dance” showcase Brachfeld’s breathy sound and solid array of improvisational thoughts.

Zan Stewart, Star Ledger

I was moved to tears by the combined and individual super talents of Andrea Brachfeld and Chembo Corniel and when I finally got it together I was moved to dance my butt off. This CD is ‘palante sin frenos!’

Maria von Dickersohn, Sirius Satellite Radio, The Jazz Cafe

The pairing of two contemporary Latin music’s most respected virtuosos, Andrea Brachfeld and Wilson “Chembo” Corniel, has resulted in Beyond Standards, a dynamically innovative synthesis of jazz standards with authentic, scintillating Afro Cuban rhythms. Masters Hilton Ruiz, Steve Turre, and Pedrito Martinez add fuel to the fire, which can crackle with clave, smoulder sublimely and sensuously, or blaze brilliantly.

Vicki Sola, host & producer, “Que Viva La Musica,” 89.1 WFDU-FM & columnist, Latin Beat Magazine

I have listened intently, with much pleasure to the CD, Beyond Standards. This is a recording which is very special because of the feeling, the swing, the essence of the standards, your arrangements of good taste, and the beautiful solos of Andrea, Steve (Turre) and Hilton (Ruiz). Congratulations.

Prof. Elmer González, Latin Beat Columnist, Producer, “Son del Caribe,” “Son de Cuba”

…Ms. Brachfeld – a fine flutist!- and her percussionist co-leader Wilson “Chembo” Corniel have chosen some strong material to do here. They feature a killing rhythm team with an amazing bassist named Carlo de Rosa… They take Trane’s “Transition” and feature some fine piano by Hilton Ruiz and strong trombone by Steve Turre and delicious flute by Andrea. ..the layers of rhythm are completely magical throughout…Beyond Standards is a most appropriate name for the best Latin Jazz disc I’ve heard in a long while.

BLC, Downtown Music Gallery

The combination of Chembo’s percussion and Andrea’s flute result in a light spirited Latin tone that is fresh as a sprig of mint. Add Steve Turre, Hilton Ruiz and Pedro Martinez and you’ve got a wealth of talent that is not wasted on Beyond Standards.

O’s notes, O’s PlaceJazz.com