Push the Limits

As the title suggests, trombonist Ben Patterson does not really break through all boundaries on his latest CD, but the way in which he knows how to alternate swing and bop and seamlessly merge them into each other commands respect.

An extremely colorful program that he wrote together for a combination of guitar, keys, bass, drums and trombone. Thanks to the impulses of guitarist Shawn Purcell, everything regularly shifts responsibly towards fusion rock (his solo in 'Fear Is The Mind-killer'!), But he also tilts the whole thing to bop ('Suits Me Fine'). It's great how all these drawn lines of force merge, like in the ten minute long title track. Moreover, the rather conventional mid-tempo of 'Easter Waltz' transcends any connotation with transience.

A CD full of action scenes and grooves without hip gimmicks, but with a tireless Patterson himself as a strong asset.