Todd Marcus plays bass clarinet and a bit of soprano stick with a rotating trio of drummers Ralph Peterson/Eric Kennedy, bassists Jeff Reed/Ameen Saleem and trumpeter Sean Jones on this sublime collection of standards and originals.
Things start out with a four movement “Something Suite” which has Marcus’ big and rich tone in a wondrous trio setting that bops, leaps and charges. Saleem’s bowed bass guides Marcuses straight clarinet through “Cantata” and ruminates with the leader for “Neophilea.” Jones adds muscle to the bopper “Amy Pookie” and the team mourns through a glowing “My Foolish Heart” while going freebop for a tumultuous “Invitation.” Marcus’ tone is as thick as the La Brea Tar Pits as he ruminates through a rich “How Deep Is The Ocean.” Palpable masses.