Toronto-based bassist Bret Higgins brings together a hip team of Aleksander Gajic/vio, Robbie Grunwald/key, Tom Juhas/g and Joshua Van Tassel/dr for an old fashioned mix of what used to be called “instrumentals.” The songs are concise, accessible and still able to allow 1-2 quick solos to demonstrate the improvisational quality of the piece. You get a fusion feel with violin and electric guitar on the grooving title track, while the drums and rhythm team snaps you to attention on the hip “Zagazig.” Soft keys soften the trudge of “All About The Starry Dark” and “Meat For Dogs” and the band is at its jovial with pizzicato musings on guitar and violin along with some Dick Dale riffs on “Sanan.” Higgins gets the spotlight on “Electric Sinner,” while most of the time setting the pace, which works well most of the time on this enjoyable outing.
Tzadi Records