Pianist and composer Noah Haidu brings together an impressive post-bop team of Jeremy Pelt/tp-fh, Sharel Cassity/as, Jon Irabagon/ss-ts, Peter Brendler-Ariel Alejandro De La Portilla/b and John Davis-Mark
Ferber/dr for this toe tapper. Haidu’s touch is confident, with a touch of Horace Silver while getting a bit fun and quirky on the melodic title track, and forming a deep groove with the rhythm team on “Against the Sky.” Davis’ ride cymbal drives the team on “Momentum” and is crisp on This Great Darkness.” Irabagon’s soprano is sweet on the bopping “The Subversive” with the with his tenor is rich as he blends with Pelt on the sweet “Can We Talk.” Pelt himself has soft hands on “Hanahya” and the front line does some excellent harmonic work throughout, particularly on “Juicy.” Strong outing here.