Composer Neal Kirkwood brings together a full bodied big band to perform an album of originals on this latest release. There are lots of hints of throughout, as on the reflective “Paddy Harmon’s Dreamland Ballroom” and the classy “Alaskan Serenade”, with some moods for a film no ir painted out on “Hight City”. Kirkwood’s piano is elegant on his “The Light of Birds” and slinky during the Bluesy “When I Hear That Serenade In Blue” that also includes vocalist Diana Herold on vibes teaming up with trumpeter James Zollar”. The team bops well on “Jim Knew” and the percussion discussion works well on “Interlude: Pl ay”. A well conceived program.