Pianist/composer Michael Ragonese leads a velvety two saxed quintet through a collection of sublime originals. The warm alto of Shai Golan and tenor by Walter Smith III create a warm balm of Gilead which is gently coaxed along by the rhythm team of Ragonese with drummer Anthony Fung and bassist Luca Alemanno.
The thick texture of the horns works well as they float over the calming cadence of “Slow Down” and the ruminating “Jolly Rancher,” with Golan’s solo on the former and Smith’s on the latter creating melodic solos that add to the themes before reclining back into the theme. The sweet “Paper Man” includes Golan’s dark shadows hovering over the theme, while Alemando and Ragonese provide some nimble footwork on the clever “Ceiling Fan.”
Ragonese gives a rich and clear solo sonata on his “Interlude” and produces a gentle aria with Smith on “Dreams Intro” before the team takes out their water colors to paint some lily pads on “Dreams of Capri.” A musical trip through Givenchy Gardens.