Donny McCaslin: Seen From Above

Along with drummer Jim Black, bassist Scott Colley and guitarist Ben Monder, McCaslin struts his broad, weighty tone amid scathing lines and cunning improvisation atop solid funk-rock beats on the album’s opener, “Manresa” and throughout most of these upbeat tracks. Here, the band deviates from a traditional ho-hum style of interplay, marked by shifty time signatures, ominous yet altogether innocent themes and searing ensemble work, enhanced by the potent and ever so creative rhythmic developments of Black and Colley.

Monder and McCaslin implement rapid fire, odd-metered unison choruses on the turbo charged composition, “Mick Gee” as the band creates loads of impact via tense themes and beefy lines. With “Going To The Territory”, the saxophonist is ablaze as he reworks the melody while displaying a husky tone to coincide with his shrewd utilization of various registers and altogether expressionistic approach, while Monder counters with electrified aplomb. Overall, McCaslin delivers the knockout blow in prominent fashion! Recommended.

* * * * (out of * * * * *)

( Arabesque Recordings )

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