A muscular modern team led by tenor saxist Dominic Lalli along with Rudy Royston/dr, Eric Gunnison/p, Bijoux Barbosa/b and Greg Gisbert/tp sizzle through a mix of standards and hard hitting originals. His tenor sax is Coltrane-tough as he muscles with Royston on “Golden Earrings” and the team gallops with him locking horns with Gisbert’s Lee Morganesque drive on
Emerald Isles”. Lalli is urgent and modal with Gunnison on “A Blind Man’s Blue” while the team shows it’s lighter touch with some glassy ivory and brushing drums on “Better Place”. Lalli is most lyrical and clear as he floats over Royston’s cymbals on “Love Walked In” and the team gallops as they sound like ESP era Miles on “Joshua”. Macho men.