[from a review of Canyon and Frank Macchia:The Galapagos Suite (Cacophony)]

These two marvelous discs seem to have come out of nowhere.

Mike Holober's resume includes Chuck Bergeron, Nick Brignola, the Village Vanguard Orchestra, and the Gotham Jazz Orchestra, but Canyon looks to be his first date as a leader. A clue to the session's quality can be found in the fact that it was produced by pianist Fred Hersch, whose own recordings are notable fro their poised, swinging intelligence. Additionally, Jim McNeely, himself one of the best arrangers in the business, did the liner notes. Indeed, what strikes one most immediately about Canyon is Holber's writing and arranging, which, toghether with a superb band, make this a notable debut.

Highly melodic, Holber's tunes fall easily on the ears, but the collective execution is full of substance. Tim Ries impresses on every session he hits, and his tenor work here captures delicate nuances ("Ansel's Easel," "In So Many Words"). Wolfgang Muthspiel's range and versatility are all over the disc, from carefully considered single-line solos ("Heart Of The Matter," the title track) to, more often, atmospheric blends with the ensemble.

Holober, as both pianist and arranger, seems to draw on the mid-1960's Herbie Hancock for inspiration, and his playing extends the influence with a fresh approach to dynamics, articulation, and rhythm. For this, he could have few better compatriots in the rhythm section than Scott Colley and Brian Blade, who push and caress the music with understated power. This is a strong outing that, like the Frank Macchia disc, is both relaxing and simulating, and grows in detail with each hearing.

— Larry Nai
© Cadence, February 2004