Drummer Ray Marchica is best known for being in the Ed Palermo Big Band which focuses on Frank Zappa compositions. With chops like that, he can play anything, and he shows that here as he leads an impressive team of Rodney Jones/g, Dic Sarpola/b, Ted Kooshian/p, Tim Ries/ts-ss, Morris Goldberg/as-ss and Café’/perc through a collection of band compositions. Material such as “Pigfoot” and “Rat City” have a wonderful soul groove, while the bluesy march “Song For A Rainbow” harkens to classic hard bop. Jones sparkles on “Gospel” while “Concentricity” features some lovely piano work. Marchica shows his talents on “Eccentricity” and his flexibility on the angular and tricky “Raimuh” while he demonstrates he can also lay down a thick groove with Café’ on “Miss Match.” A finger snapper!
www.sonofsound.com