Modern big band orchestral charts inspired by Gil Evans are delivered on this album by composer/arranger and conductor Jim Knapp and his 13 member ensemble. The textures created the horns sections are quite impressive, floating around John Hansen’s piano on “Modal Horizon” with the flutes creating cirrus clouds of sound on “Miami Vince” and framing Jeff Hay’s trombone on”Gray Skies”. Drummer Matt Jorgensen rumbles under Mark Taylor/as, Vern Seilert/tp and Chris Stover/tb on “Kumasi” with Hansen delivering a delicate nocturne on ”Afterthought”. The band shows its bop chops on the swinging “Forward Motion” and the cool toned “Nerds of Steel”. 21st Century boplicities.