"This album is not only an homage to the great jazz masters and post-bop era of the 60s and 70s, but Joe and Tom's fresh, honest approach to this music displays their prodigious creativity, dexterity, imagination and heart."

"Joe Sala solos absolutely exquisitely....we get a true understanding of Sala's mastery. The connection between his playing and writing demonstrate his intimate understanding of the bop and post bop traditions. Tom Sala, a great drummer, has tremendous technique, but more importantly, he uses it to express his tremendous musicianship. He provides sensitive support throughout the album -- on each of the solos and during ensembles. Bob Sheppard and Alan Pasqua (demonstrate) their musical mastery...artful composing and soloing of Joe Sala."

"Submerged in a deep groove..... Joe Sala is ever the lead voice of the quintet, saxophonist Bob Sheppard compliments Sala's tone and clarity of his improvisational logic. .....one musician trading ideas with the other for a synergism that enlarges upon them. All the members of the Sala's group contribute so strongly to its overall sound, that the quintet emerges as one with its own distinct sound. .....Tom Sala's surging omnipresence an essential characteristic of each track. Sala's trumpet soloing just keeps on coming as it brims with rapid-firing thought and bristles with stylishness. .......It's title describes what was heard "Colors & Shades" mostly of rich, complex hues drawn with contrast between light and dark. .....Controlled propulsiveness combining tension with, strangely enough, simultaneous relaxation."

"More than exceptional........."

"Joe and Tom Sala lead a stellar quintet in a program of Joe's compositions. He's captured the rhythmic essence of Art Blakey, the soulful lyricism of Horace Silver and the dynamic fire of Freddie Hubbard....... They drive straight-ahead with characteristic fire. ........Highly recommended for all fans of mainstream jazz."

"Strong solos... a musical sympatico that only years of playing together can produce."

"The Sala Brothers CD is right up there on the mainstream/cutting edge of today's music called jazz. Bob Sheppard and Alan Pasqua with them make for exciting listening and contemplative pleasure."

"The Sala Bros. are outstanding and a great bunch of tunes as well."

"Swinging and totally inventive."

"Joe Sala wrote great compositions that attest to his strong sense of harmony, thoughtful phrasings, power, and subtlety. The Sala Brothers have their fingers on the pulse of modern post-bop jazz while paying homage to its forefathers and past traditions. They've definitely connected with the past, present, and future of the hard bop style of jazz."

"Jazz may be exiled from mainstream American music, but you wouldn't know it hearing the Sala Brothers.

One morning, I was standing in the lobby of a Hotel in Hollywood. Out of the blue, came the sound of brass that I can only describe as a tsunami. I thought I was in another world. I was mesmerized into walking back into the ballroom. In fact, I was completely out of my senses and was compelled - in a trance. I had no choice but to follow that horn.

In the ballroom, all I could feel and taste was the trumpet player. I didn't know who he was. Or how I got there. I felt swooney. So I stayed.

I don't know anything about straight-ahead jazz, be-bop, improv or any of that stuff. What I do know is this: I went online to Tower Records and bought "Out Of The Blue". There's nothing packaged about it. The Sala Brothers' musical voice brushes up to society. It's where the heart lives. And isn't that where great music belongs?"