Dan Pugach’s second album as a leader, animal rescue themed - the late ''Bianca'' was a pitbull and the album's tongue in cheek sub-title is ''Music for Paws and Persistence'' - no need at all to pause this latest from the Israel born US based drummer and composer who increases the size of his nonet on Plus One (2018) to big band proportions. Personnel include the Grammy winning singer Nicole Zuraitis, Pugach's wife, whose powerful vocals are fairly spectacular, on a fresh and positive collection of material - there's also a complicated but frequently head bobbing version of, however unlikely it may sound, Van Halen's 'Dreams'. Big band members include alto saxist and flautist Patrick Cornelius. Dan Pugach, photo: press