Composer Omar Thomas delivers an ambitious two disc release, bringing in a big band that includes bold and exciting charts surrounding passionate soloists. The seven songs range from 8-19 minutes, filled with segues, solos and rabbit trails. Jason Palmer’s trumpet and Lihi Haruvi’s sweet soprano take a journey of “The Sun In September” with Alex Brown featured on the artsy charts of a take of Radiohead’s “Sail To The Moon”. The harmonies and directions have a rich Ellingtonian feel, with some rumbling bass and growling trombone on “Obeah Woman” and Lyle Mays’ “Episode “D’Azur” featuring Palmer and Brown on this fascinatingly episodic gallop. Mark Zaleski’s alto sax is bold alongside Mark Cocheo’s acoustic guitar for a mix of folk and spirits on “A Touch Of Obsidian, A Flash Of Scarlet.
The album is dedicated to the idea of the Griot, an African storyteller. The songs here mix that tradition of something being passed on to the next generation that has been carefully crafted from the past.