Classic fusion sounds from the 1970s sound fresher than the morning’s crescent in the hands of drummer Bob Holz (teamed with producer Rob Stathis)( , with a core team of Dean Brown/g, Billy Steinway/key, Darryl Jones-Ralph Armstrong-Ric Fierabracci/b and a rotating team of guests that include Randy Brecker/tp, Brandon Fields/sax, and John McLaughlin/g with Jean-Luc Ponty/vi.
Of the last two guests, McLaughlin is rich as he tears through the rockish “World Turned Upside Down” with a fragrant Ponty, as Armstrong and Holz gloriously dig in deep. Jones and the leader make a formidable section as well, going into a more AWB groove with horns on “Side Scratch”, a soulful “Back To You” (including a rich trumpet solo by Randy Brecker and soulful vocals from Rob Stathis) and a fantastic uptempo read of the band Chicago’s classic “Make Me Smile” also featuring a strong Stathis.
There are also dashes of sounds akin to Weather Report with Fields working around the intricate dance of “Palo Viejo” and the the funky Latin groove of “Wondering”. Some smooth pop pops up on the easy soul of “You Can Get It”, and former Weather Reporter Alex Acuna sizzles on his “Alex’s Dream” and the R&Bish synth fest of “Better Try”. This is a fun band!!!