Bassist Mark Egan continues his enthralling post-Metheny career in this latest release with Mitchel Forman/key and Danny Gottlieb/dr. A few of the pieces, such as “Sailing” and “Little Pagoda,” give reminiscences of those early days, with gently lyrical spaciousness, but for the most part Egan uses his patented tone and use of bending notes in a variety of palates. Some nice funky grooves have the trio gelling on “Slinky” and “McKenzie Portage” while Egan is delightfully dainty on “Graceful Branch.” His thought process of support and soloing is well exemplified on “About Now” and the whole team gels on the latin caresses of “Cabarete.” Forman does some impressive musings, going from the centerpiece to the frame on “Tea in Tiananmen Square” and everyone gets a bit assertive on “Puerto Plata.” Gotta see this team in concert!
Wavetone Records