Arranger
Vince Mendoza used a wide variety of instrumentation (plus his synthesizers) on this CD, a collection of nine of his compositions. Although there are some strong individual solos (particularly from
Joe Lovano on tenor and soprano and guitarists
John Scofield and
Ralph Towner), the mostly somber moods and forgettable themes make this CD much less interesting than one would expect. Best is "Angelicus" which has a brass choir (three French horns, bass trombone and tuba) stating the melody before it is eventually taken over by
Scofield. Otherwise, this is first class mood music, as influenced by classical and light pop music as by jazz. ~ Scott Yanow