The Bowie Project

The Chicago ensemble Metropolitan Jazz Octet joins forces with the vocalist Paul Marinaro for this very well crafted listen that illuminates David Bowie's work with much creativity.

The aptly titled "Slow Burn" opens the listen with the soulful, emotive brass meshing with Bob Stutter's warm keys and Rob Rummage's firm drums in the very dreamy climate, and "5:15 The Angels Have Gone" follows with Marinaro's expressive vocals being complemented by John Kornegay's well timed clarinet and Doug Bistrow's agile bass.

In the middle, Mike Freeman's very cozy vibraphone helps make this the album's best, and the bright sax certainly won't go unnoticed either, while the upbeat and frisky "Stay" emits much melody amid the sax solos and punchy rhythm section.

"Conversation Piece" and "Life On Mars?" exit the listen, where the former is a stirring, intimate display of restrained horns and poetic singing, and the latter has Freeman on marimba for the cautious yet exploratory finish.

If you're a Bowie fan, you'll certainly appreciate how these songs are interpreted without just replicating the originals, and you've never heard these songs before, well, you're in for some precisely textured jazz that comes with captivating singing and colorful song craft.