Epoch

Dan McCarthy leads a quartet with his vibes and compositions, bringing together a simpatico and sensitive band of Ben Monder/g, Mark Feldman/vi and Steve Swallow/b. The focus is on dreamy atmospheres, hovering on "A Dream, Awake" and floating with Big Sky spaces during "Fugitive Epoch." McCarthy's vibes have a gentle chime, sighing to Feldman's crying strings on the chamber mooded "Softly She Sings Her Song" and quietly bubbling on "Desert Entrance." Swallow is a heartbeat of a support team, keeping a jogger's pulse throughout, and creating pastoral atmospheres on "A Dream, Asleep." Lily pads of song.