Drummer Christian Euman steps out from his role as a sideman for the likes of Billy Childs, Walter Smith II, Marquis Hill and Geoff Keezer and shows his style and styles on this soulful disc with a core team of bassist Alex Boneham and pianist Miro Sprague and then mixing and matching not only with saxist Daniel Rotem and brass man Ido Meshulam, but bringing in some wonderful singers for extra texture and lyricism.
Michael Mayo’s soulful tenor sings out through the oblique horns on a breathy “And When I Die” with Euman supplying background vocal and drumming support. Mayo’s wordless “Distraction” has some sophisticated harmonies with Rotem and Sprague on the keys with the leader creating a chain gang of a pace. Mayo and Rotem lithely croon together on the Konitz-inspired coolness of “Maide Of Honor” , and without voices Rotem glistens over Euman’s cymbals on the rich “10,000.” Trombonist Ido Meshulam bops to Euman’s snappy sticks on “Happy Yellows” and wispy voiced Erin Bentlage sighs over his mallets on the misty “More Than Ever”. Everyone joins in for a soulful “Don’t Go To Your Face” with Euman brushing out the soulful groove. I’m not sure who in these bands will show up for a local gig, but it will be worth your while no matter the playmates. Refreshing!