Unlike certain presidents, drummers are able to “lead from behind.” Phil Maturano does an excellent job of it as he mixes originals with covers with a rotating trio team of Phil Palombi-Michael O’Brien-Irio O’Farril/b and Matthew Fries-Christian Torkewitz/p. his brushes go easy and breezy on the striding read of Wayne Shorter’s “Fee Fi Fo Fum” while “Speak No Evil” has a latin groove amplified by O’Farrils electric bass. Deep grooves are laid down on the blusy strut “Nerd Girl” which has Fries delivering Monk-like chords, while suble work by Torkewitz is featured on the “Rainy Street Corner” with a bluesy back beat supplied by drums and bass. Maturno taps out a hip and crisp pattern on”wo Left Feet” and works the cymbals to perfection on the gently driving “Zebras.” Rich and melodious, with rhythm to burn.