Delightful music is on tap from guitarist Sneider. Playing with small groups plus the occasional input of a string quartet, he waltzes, sambas, and otherwise prances though a mix of original and standard songs using a melodic framework and a deft improvisational hand. Sneider plays both the electric and classical version of his instrument, and he communicates with a tender heart and an occasional upbeat spirit. He filters in a latin beat on a duet with percussionist Padilla, gets mellow in the trio setting with his rhythm team of Stata dn Melito, and becomes romantic when the strings are added. The spritied times come when trumpeter J. Sneider teams up with the band. Through all the personnel changes, the guitarist plays with ringing clarity and a joyous nature. He keeps the mood light, and in each encouter you sense he and groups are having fun.

In addition the the eight standard tunes, Sneider includes three of his compositions. The string quartet plays with Sneider and his quartet/quintet on two lovely renditions of Cole Porter tunes. Padilla appears on several cuts, and the Brazilian beat and Sneider's matching meoldiousness work very well. The slickest part of this CD is the inclusion of a three-minute live video performance of Sneider's group that adds tenor player Rutner. It is viewed with the QuickTime program that came with my computer, and the picture, sound quality, and camera diversity are excellent. This technological age is really something.

— Frank Rubolino Cadence, Vol.27 No.12 December 2001, page 102

Copyright © 2001 Cadence and contributing writers. All rights reserved.