Best noted as a composer and arranger for the likes of Mongo Santamaria and Willie Bobo, Marty Sheller puts together a caliente team of Oscar Hernandez/p, Ruben Rodriguez/b, Vince Cherico/dr, Steve Barrios/perc, Chris Rogers-Joe Magnarelli/tp, Sam Burtis/tb, Bobby Porcelli/as and Bob Franceschini/ts for some hard swinging and macho moods.
The horns pack a dramatic right cross on “Counter Punch ” and the title track with some hot solos by the alto and sax players. Magnelli’s horn and Hernandez get the spotlight on the elegant Alan Broadbent composition “Another Time” while the tribute to Woody Shaw includes the saxes stirring the fires and Rodriguez creating a deep rivulet of groove. A mix of fire and cool breezes make this a festive treat.