Bird's Up

Carlos's high-energy & high-talent tenor and soprano sax work always gets high ratings here... I reviewed him just a while back in issue # 164, & this newest release is even better... you'll also hear great playing from Victor Garcia on Trumpet, Flugelhorn; Stu Mindeman - Piano, Rhodes; Josh Ramos - Bass; Xavier Breaker - Drums; Cheryl Wilson - Vocals; Scott Hesse - Guitar; Steve Strand - Flugelhorn and Michael B. Nelson - Trombone... jazz just doesn't get any more energetic than this, folks! You'll be a totally dedicated fan by the end of the first four bars of the excellent opener, "On a Mission"... pure sonic pleasure, to be sure... +, the track clocks in at nearly ten minutes (9:55, to be exact), so each player has a chance to shine most gloriously! If you're seeking jazz in a slightly more mellow vein, you'll find "Untitled Waltz for the Wednesday Morning Prayer Meeting" fills the bill quite nicely... Cheryl's vocal makes this a very special listen, too. After my second listen through all ten tunes, it was (hands-down) easy to pick a personal favorite.. "The Wizard Swings" conjures up visions of jubilant jazz in days of yore... vibrant is the word that best describes this tune! I give Carlos & his players a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an "EQ" (energy quotient) rating of 4.99 for this great jazz adventure.