Pianist Gary Urwin leads a swinging big band through some clever charts and rich solos brought on by an A list of guests including the late Carl Saunders/tp, Wayne Bergeron/tp, Pete Christlieb/ts, Scott Whitfied/tb, Christian Jacob/p and Rusty Higgins/sax-fl. The “regular” band is selected from LA’s finest, such as Ray Brinker/dr, Trey Henry/b and Jacob a well as members of Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band.
The horn sections are bright and warm, with Saunders and Christlieb bopping around “ This I Dig Of You” and Saunders in a dreamy mood surrounded by woodwinds on “Polka Dots and Moonbeams”. Brinker rides the whip on a crisp “Let’s Fall In Love” and Jacob sways with Henry on Saunders’ own “Tunnel At The End Of Sight” and the sections punch like Oscar De La Hoya during an incredibly hip read of the dark and funky take of Freddie Hubbard’s “ Red Clay”. The charts have a classic Billy May feel much of the time, extroverted, fun and relentlessly vibrant, tight as Beyonce’s leggings on “Almost Like Being In Love”. The album closes with a reflecting Jacobs soloing on “My Buddy” allowing everyone to end with a deep and relaxed breath. Swing’s the thing.