The co-op quartet
Big Neighborhood
performs catchy originals that stretch the modern mainstream of
jazz
. A particularly tight unit that has each of the four musicians thinking in similar directions,
features concise solos, a colorful group sound, some tricky time signatures, and distinctive voices in altoist
Chris Fagan
and guitarist
David White
(who also plays guitar synthesizer). All of the music on their two-CD release could have fit on a single disc, but the musicians in
wanted it to form two separate sets that evolved logically from beginning to end, as if they were playing the music in a club. The performances range from the explorative, to the melodic
"Lena Sofia"
(which is in nine/four time during the solos) and are both quite original and pleasing. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow