Jim McNeely took over the leadership of
the Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra from
Bob Brookmeyer in 1998 and remained until 2002; this CD is his final recording with the illustrious band. The leader wrote the six-part "Dedication Suite" for the group, pairing two soloists in each movement, though the compositions are a bit unconventional, often as if written in fragments to accompany an unseen film. The moving "Mourning (For Manny)" salutes the late and gifted composer/arranger/bandleader
Manny Albam. "Ahhhhhhhhhh..." is a somewhat whimsical work, opening with
Vincent Nilsson's sassy muted trombone, backed by an intermittent, somewhat mysterious orchestral background. "Muckian's Bluff" represents
McNeely's decidedly modern take on an Irish jig, featuring heated solos by guitarist Anders Lindvall and tenor saxophonist
Lars Moller. Like
Brookmeyer, it seems that European jazz fans are more appreciative of
Jim McNeely's considerable gifts as a composer/arranger, and this release -- along with all of his work in any size group -- is well worth acquiring. ~ Ken Dryden