Just when you thought that studio big bands were cerebral and sterile affairs, here comes this gem by Ralph Peterson. He conducts the large ensemble (FIVE TRUMPETS?!? TWO DRUMMERS?!?!?) while also p laying drums and cornet. A few of the tunes are by the leader, with others by hard bop heroes like Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, Curtis Fuller and Bobby Watson along with a nod to Hoagy Carmichael. The charts are super charged, the rhythm is exciting, the sections are like wild stallions and the solos are high octane. WHEW!Tricky segues veer in and out between snazzy solos by Will Mallard on “Arabia” with thick saxes giving a funky sauce for the big drum boom of Peterson and Christian Napoleon of “Acceptance.” Sweeping alto work by Morgan Faw leads the way for Chloe Brisson’s rich voice on “Skylark”. Guest star Kuumba Frank Lacy slides like Ricky Henderson with Brisson still at the mic for the brimming “Sweet n’ Sout” with Lacy hanging on for the upbeat “In Case You Missed It.” The rhythm team shuffles off to Buffalo as they build up the Butanes on “Down Under” and drive like a Wagon Train in Red River on the urgent and sassy “The Art of War.” If these guys ever come within 100 miles of town, CALL UBER!