Another solid effort from the "Motion Poetry" ensemble: guitarist
Michael Musillami, bassist
Mario Pavone, pianist
Peter Madsen, and drummer
Michael Sarin. The writing is evenly split between
Pavone and
Musillami ("Toulon" is actually co-written by
Pavone and
Marty Ehrlich).
Madsen's playing is characteristically stunning, and
Musillami's tone is a touch warmer than usual. The guitarist has in fact never sounded better on record; his solo on the funk-inspired "Shorty" is not to be missed. Other highlights include the rubato lyricism of "Today the Angels," the surging counterpoint of "Bass Song," and the shifting meter of the title track. If anything, this sophomore outing is even more focused and rewarding than the band's highly recommended 2000 debut disc. Their edgy, rhythmically charged repertoire continues to defy easy categorization. In the field of modern creative music, they have few equals.