A mainstream yet quite unpredictable release from the superb trumpet/flugelhorn player
John Sneider
. Four cuts feature him in the company of organist
Larry Goldings
, guitarist
John Hart
, and drummer
Andy Watson
. Five others feature
Sneider
and
Watson
with pianist
David Berkman
and bassist
Dwayne Burno
. Saxophonist
Chris Potter
and trombonist
David Gibson
add color and incisive solos on three tunes, and guitarist
Bob Sneider
, the leader's brother, appears on three as well. Highlights include
's creative look at two
Coltrane
classics,
"Giant Steps"
"Cousin Mary,"
as well as a closing, multi-meter rendition of
Randy Weston
's
"Hi-Fly"
and a compelling take on the semi-obscure
ballad
"Lucky to Be Me."
's originals range from the opening title track, a bright and optimistic
waltz
, to the funky
"Wooly Mammoth,"
the slow, modified minor
blues
"Patience Is a Virtue,"
and the harmonically tricky
bossa nova
"Alexicon,"
dedicated to fellow trumpeter
Alex Norris
.
's bass clarinet work on
"The Little Horses,"
an adapted
folk
song, is particularly inspired, as is
's unaccompanied intro on
~ David R. Adler