rating: 4 headphones

This disc is pianist Mike Holober's debut as a leader, but he is already a well-regarded figure on the New York scene, as the testimonials on the sleeve from Fred Hersch (who produced the sessions), Jim McNeely and John Patitucci attest. Their confidence in Holober's ability to deliver high quality jazz as both performer and composer is fully justified by the music. The players dig deep into his seven original compositions on the disc, which are mostly inspired by his outdoors activities as a hiker and climber, and have a clean, airy spaciousness even in their busiest sections. His intricate but attractive melody lines unfold over imaginative and carefully textured ensemble voicings and structures, with Muthspiel's guitar and Ries' horns skilfully deployed at both ensemble and solo level. Colley and Blade are a superb rhythm section, and their contributions both energise and enrich the music at any given tempo. The disc closes with his interpretations of two familiar standards, 'You and the Night and the Music' and 'Stardust', both given a fresh twist in arrangements. Worth checking out.

— Kenny Mathleson, Jazzwise, October 2003