With this recording, pianist
George Colligan establishes himself as part of the stable of young talent making music on the Spanish-based Fresh Sound New Talent label. He is joined by tenor saxophonist
Mark Turner, bassist
Drew Gress, and drummer
Howard Curtis; saxophonist
Jon Gordon and guitarist
Kurt Rosenwinkel make a couple of guest appearances each.
Colligan's writing -- as well as his tasteful use of electric keyboards on several cuts -- recalls pianists such as
David Kikoski and
Kenny Werner. But
Colligan truly distinguishes himself with his multi-instrumental abilities; he plays serious trumpet on "Evil Ambition" and "The Very Last Waltz." And on the stunning "Modeidi's Modalities," there's no piano at all;
Colligan busies himself playing hellacious drums behind Gress, Turner, and Rosenwinkel. Amazingly, it seems that
Colligan could make his living on any or all of these three instruments. A superior effort from a superior musician. ~ David R. Adler