Composer Miho Hazama conducts a 16 member jazz orchestra, along with some thrilling guests on this ambitious collection of material. The centerpiece is a three part “Exoplanet Suite”, with guest bassist Christian McBride working around the string section and Monkish charts. Steve Wilson’s soprano sax creates a dark mood with pianist Billy Test on the second movement, while drummer Jake Goldbas brings a hip hop groove to the jazzy “Planet Nine”. The two alto sax team of Wilson with guest Immanel Wilkins brings a soulful tone to the strutting “From Life Comes Beauty” with a dash of Afro Cuban muscle melding with post bop feel on “Abeam”. The charts are quite ambitious, but never losing sight of the pulse or melody. A wonderful kaleidoscope of music.