Return of the East-West Trumpet Summit

Thomas is among the best trumpeters on the jazz scene today - no doubt about that... I reviewed him in issue # 152, and was impressed enough to give him very high ratings; on this new outing (January, 2016), he's added B-3 organist George Colligan, and that organ makes all the difference in the world for this keyboard player... you'll also hear trumpet/flugelhorn from Ray Vega and drums by Matt Jorgenson! Their version of Lee Morgan's "Totem Pole" adds new 21st Century energy to the original, & I thought I heard shades of Jimmy (Smith) in George's organ, too... all I can say is - WOW! The only "negative" thing about the album is that it's just a tad short at 43:03, but that's a minor criticism when you hear their totally together excellence on tunes like my personal favorite of the eight pieces offered up, their iteration of Cedar Walton's "Firm Roots"... this is also the longest cut on the album, so that may have had something to do with why I picked this one... each player gets their turn to show their talent & energy! Anyway you listen, I've no doubt you'll agree with my MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED... "EQ" (energy quotient) rating is 4.98.