A reliable sideman for the likes of Dave Stryker and Kenny Garrett, drummer McClenty Hunter steps out as a leader on this swinging album that ranges from trio to sextet. Hunter’s got a nice snap to his sticks, and uses it well on an intricate trio with Eric Reed-Christian Sands/dr and Corcoran Holt-Eric Wheeler/b on the intricate start-stopping “Blue Chopsticks” while his brushes are elegant on the churchified “I Rmember When.” With the horns of vets Eddie Henderson/tp, Donal Harrison/as and Stacy Dillard/ts-ss, the team hiply struts on “The Big Push” whle sounding soft and fluffy on the delicate “Give Thanks” while Dillard taps into a Coltrane mode after Hunter’s crisp intro to the classic “Countdown.” Stryker sizzles on the fun shuffler “That Girl” and blends with soulful keys and nifty sashaying by the leader on “Sack Full of Dreams.” Want to see this guy in concert!