City Life: Music of Gregg Hill

The esteemed trombonist Michael Dease is joined by some first rate players for 2 discs of tunes that pay tribute to Gregg Hill's legacy.

The warm spirit of "Willow Walks In" opens, where Dease's strategic horn is met with Linda May Han Oh's frisky bass, and it isn't long until "Movie Theme" allows for Jeff 'Tain' Watts' unpredictable drums to complement Dease's soulful delivery.

Deeper into Disc 1, "Catalyst" is strong on atmosphere, as the animated rhythm section suits Dease's playful nature, and the back half leads with "Tea Time", where Nicole Glover's lively tenor sax won't go unnoticed in the busy yet calculated climate.

"Enigma" arrives later on, and is a cozy moment via Geoffrey Keezer's intimate keys and the rich sax, while "Layfayette Square" exits with a bouncy and dance floor friendly demeanor thanks to the upbeat rhythm section, colorful keys, and charming wind and horn.

A body of work with plenty of post-bop fun, this is Dease's 3rd Origin album, and both the trio and quintet settings give the tunes a new dimension to reside in and enjoy.