The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra has become a fixture in the New York scene. It features some of the most respected names around, with Terell Stafford/tp, Ralph LaLama/ts, Gary Smulyan/bs, Jim McNeely and David Wong/b among its all star members. Here, they give a tribute to the pen of Bob Brookmeyer, who made a name for himself as part of the West Coast jazz scene which emphasized melody and harmony over hard drive. Ironically, this disc strips away the former, and divides up the latter into a tricky concoction of intricate themes and rhythm patterns that segue into various moods. For example, “The Big Time” is a roller coaster of a ride, going up and down on the wooden tracks, while the idiosyncratic section work on”Oatts” is held together by John Riley’s deft brush work and Dick Oatts’ alto solo. A punchy drive on”Rich” includes some rich tenor work by “Rich Perry” but then the fourteen minute “ZYX” comes across as a Mahlerian bop piece with sections weaving in and out with various solos being used as connecting threads. An eerie “Skylark” leads into a free form “At the Corner of Ralph and Gary” while the closing Sad Song” delivers Oriental hues as an environment for Dick Oatts’ flute. Quizzical, yet filled with impressive work for technophiles.