Modern axes to grind…
Guitairst David Bailis leads a team of Jason Nazary/dr, Chris Speed/ts and Eric Lane/p-synth/b on pretty and modern sounding originals, with the addition of a lyrical read of “Open Your Eyes”. The teaming of tenor and guitar works well, with melodic moments on “Tree of Life” and Methenyesque adventures for “Rays of Light” . The guitar strings glisten on “Is Eternal” and Nazary leads the gallop to “Big Dreams”. Impressive sketches.
Cool Herb Ellis-ish strings are served by Matt Panayides in a tro with Steve LaSpina/b and Anthony Pinciotti/dr on a tasty selection of jazz standards. He digs into Joe Henderson’s “Serenity” like a member of the chain gang, and flows like drapes on the gorgeous “I Fall In Love Too Easily”. Hip takes of Cedar Walton’s “Hindsight” and Mode For Joe” are only surpassed by a spacey read of Wayne Shorter’s “Nefertiti”, while nifty and hep tones are swung on “Simone” and “Straight Up and Down”. Push the button on “Autocruise” and sit back.