Guitarist Darrell Katz leads the Jazz Composers Alliance Orchestra through some cerebral sounds on this collection of his compositions. A mix of free form and swing stretches out for 13 minutes on “A Zen Story” which gives solo space for Hiro Honshuke/fl, Phil Scarff/sax and Dan Zupan/bs amng others. An eight part “Wheelworks” includes lyrics sung by Rebecca Shrimpton that have a modern or post modern classical feel, while the brass section gets quite intense at time. Some bluesy bass weaves in and out before askance rock rhythms take over on “Under the Cloak of War.” Playful brass and reeds veer in and out of mysterious moods before a crash of the titans closes the piece. A ten minute “SamiBadGal” gives hints of Gil Evans and Charles Mingus, while the JCA Sax Quartet melds some warm reeds for a clever take of “Monk’s Mood.” Sophisticated and intellectual.
Leo Records