Trombonist Shannon Gunn slides home in two different settings, one in The Firbird Organ Trio with Hope Udobi/key and Kelton Norris/dr and the Shannon Gunn Quintet including Gunn and Norris with Chris Garrick/vibes, Garrett Gleason/g and Mikel Combs/b.
The threesome features some strong melodic themes as on the concise “Ellen,” a clever read of Eric Satie’s “Gymnopedie #1” that melds keys and brass as well as a bluesy bopper “Cycal.” The tight unit displays a lot of soul throughout their half of the album.
The quintet gets into a funky mood with guitar and vibes chiming on “Orange Noise” and a chunky guitar pace of “Missing Perspective” featuring Gunn getting into a spacey atmosphere some stratospheric indulgences. Vibes and drums dig a nice groove for Gunn on “Cruash” with the heads bobbing to a hip take of the chestnut “Dinah.” A nice bone to pick.