Trumpeter Markus Rutz creates moods that both bop and reflect on this album that mixes and matches drummers Xavier Breaker or Marcus Evans, saxist Brice Winston, pianist Adrian Ruiz, guitarist Matt Gold, conga man Heitor Garcia and bassist Marcos Varela.
Most intriguing is when the leader eschews drums altogether, deftly bopping with Varela and Ruiz on an easy “The Musicaner,” giving an aria with the pianist on “Very Marie” and the sweet “Shipmates” or stirring salsa with Garcia on “Gusto, as in Mucho.” In a more traditional setting, the team is sleek with Winston’s tenor charging forth on the post bopper “Syndrome” and West Coast Cool on “Segment.” Rutz’s horn is warm and embracing in each setting, glistening on the more Spartan themes, making the various colors and textures presented here woven like a Raphael tapestry.