LA’s first call man on the horn, Bob Sheppard, shows what he can do when leading a band on this album with the strong team of John Beasley/p, Kendrick Scott/dr and Jasper Somsen/b on this mix of standards and originals. His own material has a modern sophistication to it, with his soprano gliding over Scott’s restless pulse on the busty post bopper “Edge of Trouble” while his tenor teams up well with Simon Moullier’s vibes on the sublime “ Joegenic.” Scott’s cymbals team with guest Mike Cottone’s muted horn for a soulful “Run Amok,” pulsated by Benjamin Shepherd’s electric bass, and “People Make The World Go Round” has a dark hue that exposes deep shadows. Scott is kinetic on Somsen’s “Above And Beyond” and the percussion gets sensuous for Sheppard’s tenor on the Latin Lover of “Maria’s Tango.”
Sheppard’s tone is a palpable delight as he rolls in like a June fog on “Thanks For The Memory” while getting a bit friskier with the team on a loose read of “A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing.” He’s one of So Cal’s best, and this session shows why.