Like his long-time teammate on albums and concerts, guitarist Bill Frisell, trumpeter Ron Miles has used his instrument more as a paintbrush for creating colors rather than flexing musical chops. This latest release teams Miles and Frisell with the like-minded drummer Brian Blade, bassist Thomas Morgan and pianist Jason Moran to produce material inspired by such diverse material as the book of Genesis in the Bible and anti-Christian author James Baldwin, as well as traditional folk material. Through these disparate means, Miles and company create a rich tapestry of tones and textures evoke dreams and wishes.
Miles muted horn teams with Blade’s timpani to cast long shadows on the pastoral “Average” while the soulful backbeat of “Custodian of the New” evokes a cheer and his warm Kenny Dorham-toned “Queen of the South” gives a rural environment. Country roads are travelled with Frisell’s laconic strings with effects and Miles’ squawky tones as Moran guides the team through “Like Those Who Dream” and the soft swing of “Rainbow Sign” has Blade’s cymbal caress the theme while he gives a nice little bop feel to “Binder””. The team is relaxed and unassuming on an elliptical take of “This Old Man” and gets rural with moss hanging on the vine for “The Rumor”. Rich impressions of sound.