Okay, so it sounds corny and cute, and the black and white cover of the leaflet with the vintage '20s woman with the legs and booze might irk somebody, but there is no denying that this recording is a blast. Directed by trumpeter
Mark Gould, the ensemble features Gould along with
Marvin Stamm, Chris Gekker, David Bilger, and Tom Bontrager on trumpet, plus Sam Pilafian on tuba, and
Mark Shane on piano. The group romps through fourteen early classics, including four by Ellington, another four by
Jelly Roll Morton, and other period pieces. The arrangements are entirely respectful, though the unusual instrumentation gives the tunes a whole new flavor. This one's got pizzazz with a capital "P, " with everyone (including Pilafian and Shane) getting into the action with wildly emotional solos. ~ Steven A. Loewy