The Head of the Circle

emusic Pick of the Week - Hard to believe that this is just a sextet recording. Horner gets such a huge, yet finely detailed sound out of the group that you'd think they had a couple extra sets of arms helping with the heavy lifting. Lyrical as hell, and uplifting to boot. Joe Locke's vibes typically sound magical, but on this recording, he's casting spells left and right. I thought nothing could get better than Ted Nash's bass clarinet, but then he makes an entrance on soprano sax, I think about changing my tune. Jim Ridl's piano has the beauty and rhythmic qualities of autumn leaves scattering in a swirling breeze. I'll just stop my little raving synopsis right here, and call this my Pick of the Week.