Kansas City based trumpeter Hermon Mehari headlines a strong post bop album teamed together with Aaron Parks/key-p, Logan Richardson/as, Rick Rosato/b, Ryan J. Lee/dr and Peter Schlamb/vib. The Monk Competition semi-finalist has a rich and expressive tone, and the band mixes sounds ranging from a Weather Report-ish “Tatra” to a soulful R&B tinged ballad with vocals on “Awakening.”
In between, you hear Mehari’s warm open horn on a rich intro to “Our Journey Rivisited” while he is expressive with Parks on a drop dead gorgeous duet on “I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face.” Schlamb provides an easy swing as Rosato’s bass directs traffic on “Moment’s Notice” and “Cold” and the team is sublime on “We Love.” Modern with effects, and classic with sound.