Last year, he put out a hip little album focusing on flying, but this time around guitarist and composer PJ Rasmussen gives a tribute to the sea on a collection of nine tunes along with a post bop band with Jim Ridl/p, Jon Difiore/dr, Adrian Moring/b and a horn section of Steve Davis/tb, Nate Giroux/sax, Ban Hankle/tp, scott Robinson/sax and Lauren Sevian/sax. The themes range from a boppish “A Study in Scarlet” (with some nice work by Davis) to a graceful ballad on “Under A Wave”. A driving title track takes you on a sea cruise with som nice soloing by the leader and Ridl, with a heavy metal “Full Speed Ahead” mixes hard rock guitar with full bodied swing. Intriguing rhythms create a rip tide on “Ruthie” while the band bops like a buoy on “Love Birds.” Smooth sailing!
KFR Communications