One of the stars of the mainstream clarinet scene, Ken Peplowski gets to front a swinging yet modern big band for this highly attractive album. He brings together a swinging rhythm section of Ehud Asherie/p, Chuck Redd/dr, Nicki Parrott/b and Matt Munisteri/g to mix bop and swing with some standards and clever obscurities. The team snaps and grooves on Sonny Stitt’s “The Eternal Triangle” with Peps showing he can slide like Ricky Henderson as well as bounce like Scarlett Johansen with the thick reeds on Duke Ellington’s “Duet.” Likewise, the luminous “I Like The Sunrise” glistens like shiny velvet while the team shows a 50s swagger on “All I Need is the Girl” and they gallop like it’s Saturday at Santa Anita on “Come Back to Me” Rich blue moods ooze on”Estate” and a hiply brooding “Chega De Saudade” while the muted brass is sleek on “When You Wish Upon A Star.” A must have for toe tapping big band fans.
Arbors Records