Cicada

Not only is Seattle known for giving us Starbucks coffee, but it is the home of Origin Records, who gives some fresh sounding modern jazz sounds from rising stars.

Drummer Tad Britton brings together Hans Teuber/sax-key-fl, Jeff Johnson/b and Pete Fogle/g for some fresh post bop sounds. Most of the material is composed by Johnson, which explains the clever bass work on many of the tracks such as the freewheeling "Gone" and the funky interplay between bass, drum and guitar on "Fox Hunt." A folksy "Gaia" mixes percussion with Teuber's soprano sax, while a husky tenor is palpable on the impassioned "Seclusion" and conversant "Beijing." A rich mix of structure and free form.