What a lot of firepower there is here. But even more than that clever arrangements and some explosive soloing from Chris Potter (the third part of the 'Rituals' suite especially) light up this tribute to Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring. The album also includes four additional Potter pieces including two from the saxophonist's masterwork The Sirens and these fit well within the overall feel of the release. Chicago-born pianist, composer and Grammy winning arranger McNeely in the 1970s was a featured soloist in the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra and later pianist in the Stan Getz quartet and Phil Woods quintet. His arranger's pen has a delicacy and lightness of touch that helps make this fine big band release so involving and very rewarding.
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