Something you don't always hear in "big band" recordings these days is right here on this superb eight-song album... "swagger" & "proof of life"! Michael's drums "lead" this elegant excursion into the funkiest of big bands you've ever heard, especially on songs like the straight-ahead jazz on the 7:34 "Munich Musings"... this tune is definitely in the "must listen" category. The swirling vocal work on "Tunnell Vision" will thrill those who realize that vocal jazz is (sometimes) just as exciting as the instrumentals. It was the 5:24 "Vistas" that got my vote for personal favorite, though... some excellent lead guitar work on this one, & the percussion just KICKZ'! This is Michael's debut effort - & it definitely deserves the MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED I'm giving it... "EQ" (energy quotient) rating is 4.98.