Light Of Day
Connection Works, 2026
9/10
The flutist/composer Michel Gentile makes a dent with this first album as leader, where Michael McGinnis, Jacob Garchik, Chris Lightcap and Tom Rainey are in attendance for the 10 unpredictable tracks.
“Light Of The Day” opens with Lightcap’s frisky bass lines alongside the flowing flute and Rainey’s frisky drums, and “Chthonian” follows with a rich climate thanks to Mcginnis’ adventurous clarinet that suits Garchik’s thick trombone.
“This Reminds Me Of You” occupies the middle spot and it’s a cautious moment with intimate interplay that’s spontaneous, while “The Genbergs” picks up the pace via the bright winds and lively rhythm section of the album’s best.
Arriving late, “Ici lá-bas” is a colorful moment that spends 8+ minutes mesmerizing us with its dynamic chemistry, and “Hold Infinity In The Palm Of Your Hand” exits with an abstract and cinematic appeal that allows each member’s respective talents to shine in an atypical fashion.
Gentile handles flute, alto flute, bass flute and piccolo, and his influences from Charles Mingus, Henry Threadgill and Duke Ellington make for an a unique and exciting debut at the front of the stage, and hopefully there’s more on the horizon.
Travels well with: Samuel Torres- Trio Libre; Audrey Ochoa- The Sorceress