Pete McGuinness is a triple threat here as he leads a big band through some of his very clever charts, supplying warm trombone solos and in section work, and even throwing in some hip vocals to boot. The band does some peppy work with a fun take of “Put On A Happy Face” which features Tom Christensen’s joyful tenor sax, while the woodwinds get dreamy for Chris Rogers’ flugelhorn on an impressionistic “Old Roads” and Dave Pietro floats for the feathery “Aftermath” all which include classy piano work by Mike Holober. The rhythm section gets funky on a boogalooing take of Nat Adderley’s “Jive Samba” and bops with the best for “One For The Maestro.”
McGuinness delivers a strong solo on the big and bold “Point of Departure,” but what really draws attention is his winning voice. He is hep as all get out as he harmonizes along with “You Must Believe In Spring” and is West Coast Vo-Cool on a sublime “May I Come In.” This album is filled with accessible excitement as well as clever ideas, things not to be mutually exclusive as testified here.