Compositionality

Florida-based guitarist composer Dan Heck takes his time entering the first track of his Origin debut, deferring to trumpeter Thomas Marriott on the funky boogaloo "One for Flo" and laying out entirely. By the time he finally makes his move at the 2:30 mark, his warm, flowing lines and clear articulation immedately reveal the influence of Pat Metheny, whom he pays tribute to on the lyrical ballad "Stand Pat." And that isn't the only homage here: Heck, Marriott and pianist Stuart Shelton each solo with authority on the hard-swinging modal number "Blade's Groove." inspired by drummer Brian Blade. The guitarist continues to flex his straight-ahead chops on the mid-tempo swinger "Tommy's Teeth" and the jaunty soul-jazz number "Blue Stone," then further reveals his graceful side on the mellow waltz "Naples."