Mad Scientist Music

The esteemed trombonist, composer and arranger Ben Patterson brings along a large crew for these Big Band selections that are nothing short of powerful and swinging.

The animated presence of "We're Back, Baby!" opens with Shawn Purcell's meticulous guitar and Luke Brandon's bright trumpet adding much to the flowing climate, and "The Misinformation Age" follows with Chris Ziemba's mature keys and Mike Cemprola's well timed alto sax complementing the dreamy bouts and soaring melodies.

The middle tracks belong to "Always" and "The Mixup". The former benefits from Doug Morgan's baritone sax amid much intimacy that builds into an emotive album highlight, while the latter bops and shakes via Tedd Baker and Xavier Perez's tenor sax prowess.

The last track, "Just 'Cuz", doesn't disappoint, either. Alec Aldred's colorful trumpet and Todd Harrison's agile drumming won't go unnoticed, as the band exit with as much explosiveness as they started.

A first-rate Big Band affair, Patterson's vision if fleshed out superbly thanks to this excellent cast.