Triskaidekaphobia

Ten tracks here are originals by Thomas and several of them have to do with animals. Eric Likkel is credited with the 11th track. Don't let the album title throw you - it's not indicative of a far-out loft jazz trip but simply the medical term for fear of the number 13. The title track is indeed in 13/4 time - shades of Don Ellis and Dave Brubeck. The tunes are fun and varied with sometimes only two or three members of the sextet playing on a particular one. The emphasis on the clarinet is nice too, instead of the expected sax or trumpet. The combination of vibes and clarinet is a nice one not frequently heard in jazz and most welcome to these ears. The Latinesque percussion of timbales and congas lend a nice spice to the more up-tempo tunes, and are well captured in both fidelity and balance with the rest of the group.