Schenectady Daily Gazette

Pianist Holober has assembled a group of first-rate New york musicians for this big band date, recorded in 1996 but just now released.

There's a definite Mel Lewis-Thad Jones flavor to the band, right down to the drums and horns opening on the first piece, "Jump Down, Spin Around." Drummer John Riley, who leads the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra that carries on the Lewis-Jones tradition, plays expertly throughout.

The compositions are all composed and arranged by Holober, who writes intriguing ensembles that play one section against another, with lots of room for solos. He also provides plenty of color by using oboe, flute, piccolo and bass clarinet in various sections of the arrangements. There's also a French horn on a couple of tracks.

They range from the brisk opener, with some raffish trombone by Pat Hallaran and fluent alto sax by Jon Gordon, to a rocksh "Big Sky" that evokes the "soul" movement of the '60s. Bassist Ron Carter opens "Waltz Medium" over some crisp burshwork by Riley. Holober solos against a soft cushion of sound from the horns. "Form x Mood" starts in a moody vein, with trumpeter Scott Wendholt growing more declamatory as the ensemble builds, gradually quieting down to let Holober ruminate at the piano.The title trune has more brushwork by Riley, leading to a solo by Time Ries on tenor sax backed by a flute-laced ensemble that continues behind Holober. A squalling horn section takes it back to brushes and out.

This is a bright, pulsating big band with engaging soloists and imaginative arrangements. Definitely a worthy addition to the big band section of anyone's record shelf.

— Tim Coakley
© Schenectady Daily Gazette, October 2004