Confluence: The Ireland Sessions

The alto-sax extraordinaire Benjamin Boone is in the company of some fine musicians for these colorful and dynamic 9 tracks.

"On The Banks Of The Shannon" starts the listen with Dan Bodwell's playful bass plucking before Rodridgo Dalla's dreamy percussion enters alongside Boone's elegant sax, and the title track follows with a lively spirit that carries an infectious energy thanks to James Miley's swift keys and Rory Murphy's electric bass.

Into the middle is where "Monkette" resides, and it emits a dynamic interaction via the bright sax and John Daly's animated drumming, while "In The Twilight" features JaYne's soulful pipes that help illuminate the intimate mood that builds into a dizzying jazz climate.

Residing near the end, "Stern Warning" benefits much from Joe O'Callaghan's meticulous guitar amid the flowing sax bouts, and "She Moved Through The Fair" exits with a soft demeanor of elegance and grace that showcases JaYne's gorgeous pipes.

A collaborative affair that excels in post-bop areas just as it does gentle, moving song craft, Boone and his friends have no problem keeping our attention from beginning to end.