Trombonist Marshall Gilkes delivers an impressively strong post-bop session here with like minded mates Donny McCaslin/ts, Adam Birnbaum/p, Yasushi Nakamura/b and Eric Doob/dr. The compositions, all penned by the leader, are well crafted, with almost half of them containing two completely different parts and moods. The first section of “Presence,” for example has the tow horns in a rhythmic staccato form, while they tend to trickle like a stream with long languid notes on the second part. Gilkes’ horn is warm and inviting, whether on the delicate “Downtime,” or getting down with intensity on the chaotic “Anxiety Part 2.” McCaslin, as always, sounds fantastic in this context with his high cholesterol horn, while the relay-team of a rhythm section is quite tenacious on material like “Slashes.” Birnbaum stands out on the first part of “Armstrong” as well, but Gilkes walks away with the honors here, with an impressive tone, attack and writing skill. Great disc!
Alternate Side Records