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Charlie Haden teams up once more with the young Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba for this melancholy, soothing album. Ignacio Berroa, on drums and percussion, completes the core trio. Special guests include tenor saxophonists Joe Lovano and David Sanchez, violinist Federico Britos Ruiz, and guitarist Pat Metheny (one track only). Rubalcaba contributes orchestrations on two cuts, both of which omit drums and percussion. Haden's intention is to explore the bolero, a distinctive Latin dance rhythm that Ignacio Berroa accents with a soft, subtle snare drum roll, played with brushes, beginning on the "and" of the first beat of the bar and ending on the second. This rhythm is perfect for a slow dance, and indeed, the entire album is highly romantic, with bittersweet melodies and lilting cadences. – All Music

Bassist Charlie Haden has been a masterful contributor to everything from Ornette Coleman’s pioneering outside ensembles and Keith Jarrett’s slashing groups to his own freewheeling, nearly anarchic Liberation Music Orchestra. Haden’s also proven the ideal duet partner, having teamed with pianist Hampton Hawes, Coleman, guitarist Pat Metheny and the flamboyant Cuban keyboardist Gonzalo Rubalcaba on previous releases. On Nocturne, Haden and Rubalcaba aren’t joining forces on some fierce encounter or groundbreaking project. Instead, they are exploring another of Haden’s passions, the bolero, in both its Cuban and Mexican variations. These are 11 lush, gorgeous, highly sensual pieces featuring, in addition to Haden’s prodigious bass and Rubalcaba’s disciplined yet spicy piano, excellent rhythmic touches from Ignacio Berroa and sensitive guest contributions from four major players. – Jazz Times