Good News!
Flying Horse, 2019
8/10
The big band stars The Flying Horse Big Band return with another installment of their energetic jazz and hard bop stylings, and this time they’re aligned with the UCF Studio Orchestra.
“The Serpent’s Tooth” gets the album off to a peppy start with glorious interplay between the many instruments, as trombones and saxophones get their own solos, and “Vierd Blues” follows with a more subdued setting of intricate guitar work and a flourishing jazz feel.
Further along, “Trinkle Trinkle” builds into a mesmerizing display of brass fun, while “‘Round Midnight” offers a setting of elegance and mystery in the album highlight.
Deeper cuts brings us “Imagine”, which is a dreamy, flute friendly version of the classic where both singing and talking are present, and the last instrumental, “Blue Steps”, uses strategic keys in a busy display of rhythm and melody.
The work of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Bob Mintzer and Antonio Carlos Jobim are all reworked here with the 18 members in attendance, and the delivery is nothing short of stunning with its textured, groove heavy, vintage jazz feel.
Travels well with: Bill O’Connell And The Afro Caribbean Ensemble- Wind Off The Hudson; David Fink- BASSically Jazz