Disc one of a three-part opus from the great Ruben Blades, the Panamanian citizen (and musician, actor, activist and politician) of the world to whose tunes a billion-plus feet have danced. Salswing! sets out its stall on its cover: “Although the connection between jazz and salsa has been historically documented, much remains to be described and recognised,” states Blades, 72, whose dot-joining on the 11 tracks contained within is made all the more remarkable by the rapid-fire inventiveness of the Roberto Delgado Orchestra. Their deft melding of, indeed, salsa and swing gives further props to the visionary likes of Mario Bauza, Dizzy Gillespie and Duke Ellington, who forged those links early. Here the multi-faceted Blades presents as a Latin-minded big band crooner, giving his swaggering (if high register) Sinatra-esque all on standards including a gloriously horn-cocky ‘Pennies From Heaven’ and Nelson-Riddle-style ‘The Way You Look Tonight’; his all-stops-out remake of Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodriguez's ‘Tambó’ reinforces the pivotal role of African drumming in both swing/salsa genres Throughout, New Orleans big band jazz and raw, stripped down Nuroyican salsa meet, mate, split and reacquaint. “As artists we address our music to the world, not just to a specific segment of its population,” Blades reminds us; and do they ever.