River Paths

4 1/2 STARS The musicians play intelligently and rhetorically, employing a significant amount of controlled improvisation. Paul Mazzio and John Moak—they have plenty of room for improvisation, just like the rest of the band. They avoid flashy effects, focusing instead on the very essence of the music; they capture the pulse of contemporary jazz energy without abandoning the best of the jazz tradition. We are witnessing another kind of bridge between the past and the present. The album's acoustic format gives it a timeless quality. Thanks to the insightful production of Dennis Carter—who masterfully brings out the best in every element of the band—and the skillful support of executive producers Ben and Michelle Medler, *River Paths* is sure to captivate without ever becoming too laid-back or banal.

Translated from Polish