Dave Slonaker fronts a big band in which he does almost all of the composing, arranging and conducting. No small job when you consider the band has a reed section that includes Bob Sheppard and Brian Scanlon, a trumpet section with Wayne Bergeron, Clay Jenkins and Ron Stout, a trombone section with Bob McChesney and a rhythm team with Peter Erskine on drums. Material ranges from free and flowing pieces such as the loose “Timelessness” and title track to the more boppish “Point of Departure.” Brassy textures are in abundance, particularly on the two part Labyrinth Suite and the fanfare-ish” Nite Lites.” The lone cover, “It’s Only A Paper Moon,” is given a clever latin lilt, and as far as soloing goes, all of the aforementioned studs get a chance to strut, while pianist Ed Czach delivers some impressive work as well, particularly on the gentle “If and Only If.” Nice session for big band junkies.
Origin Records