1. Ha Ha Hawaiian
This peek behind the scenes of the tourist friendly Hawaiian luau opens with cheerful horns and ukulele, but quickly exposes a darker side boiling underneath. Tribal drums, ominous chords and shimmering cymbals build in intensity to reveal space-age synths. It is then as if you were following a stage manager from the chaos that reigns backstage, where horns wail over menacing piano, to the front of the house where he flashes a smile by breaking into a moment of cheerful jazz. Finally we pan back to observe the full picture, the tribal drums layered with the horns and a driving drum kit, the flash of show-business mingled with the messiness that entails, as another evening draws to a close.
2. Song For Glenn
Mournful saxophone meanders over a mellow beat and glimmering keys, the melodic notes soaring in this bittersweet ballad honoring a lost son. Intertwining horn lines dance a duet, two parents recalling their boy’s best qualities, musing over what his life might have been, while low bass notes echo heavy heartstrings. Agreeing to celebrate the gifts he brought and remain grateful for their time together, they release his memory to the heavens.
3. Spacefarten
Shimmering cymbals and syncopated drum rolls build tension before horns break out, followed by a funky wah-wah bass line that calls and responds with the saxophone. This is a true conversation between musical masters, maybe even the jazz equivalent to dueling banjos. You can almost see each musician, hanging out together at a bar after hours, trading stories of their favorite gigs, interjecting jokes and poking fun at each other, staying loose and having an all-around good time.
4. Drivin' Into A Donut Hole
In this sonic science fiction episode, a jazz band from Chicago travels to the Andes to jam with descendants of the Inca Empire. Trumpet and keys are juxtaposed with woodwinds and an indigenous rhythm section, creating such mind-bending energy that suddenly the whole group is soaring over Machu Picchu in a rainstorm before time-traveling to outer space and straight into the sun.
5. Inspite Of Color
Rhythmic bells, agile flute trills, a melodic trumpet, nimble and insistent keys each add their distinct voice to a conversation held together with a sold bass line. Just as we all have a heartbeat and blood flowing through our veins, there is space for everyone to say their piece and sing in harmony, if only we take the time to listen and find a common ground.
6. Paradise Stroll
Imagine your perfect day in paradise with this melodic wandering of bass, piano, synth and gentle drums. Start with a walk on the beach where you can feel the sunshine on your back, the wind in your hair and the occasional mist of sea-spray on your face. The relaxing morning is followed by an afternoon airplane tour where you triumphantly burst through the clouds to view the island’s wonders from above. End with a sunset boat ride where you watch racing dolphins breach the crystal blue waters alongside the ship’s hull.
