Here’s a nice post-bop session by a guy you’ll want to hear more from. Ilia Skibinsky adheres mostly to the alto, but also forays into the soprano and even the piano on this impressive disc with a working team of Glenn Zaleski/p, Edward Perez/b and Colin Stranahan/dr and added guests. His tone is clean and warm on the septet piece “The Passage” which, like the other of his compositions, shows intelligence, creativity and energy. A subdued and sinewy “Translucent” includes Matt Jodrell’s trumpet and Matthew Silberman/s tenor, while a chamber music-like mood permeates “Beyond the Sea” with an intriguing interplay between the leader, Perez and Mike Moreno’s guitar. A rhapsodic “When We Forget” has Skibinsky on piano accompanied by strings, while his soprano on “Dorian Ways” is subtle but restless. Lots to like here.
Mythology Records