Mitch Shiner leads the Blooming Tones Big Band here as he supplies drums, vibes and percussion, and Wayne Wallace helps his ex-sideman out by producing the hot blooded session and bringing his trombone along for some nice solo contributions. A mix of covers and originals keep things fresh, and the charts are filled with exciting moments.
Some tricky turns happen on drivers like “Dragon Express” and “Malibu Jump” which feature the leader on drums as well as the hot trumpet of Josiah Lamb. A boogie groove is fun on the infectious “6:20 Shuffle” has Shiner driving the band like the head of a wagon train while Amanda Gardier delivers a succulent alto solo. Some hip charts are on the slinkily latin “An Evening Thought” and some elegant stylings provide a pleasant framework for Jeremy Allen’s bass solo on “Watchful Eyes.” The well balanced mix of heady charts and visceral grooves is a welcome sound for the ears.
Patois Records