Trumpeter
Manuel Mengis
' music is quite episodic and full of surprises. Stirring and intense ensembles give way to quiet sections, rhythmic passages become explosive outbursts, fusion rhythms and free jazz solos are mixed together, etc. Although
Mengis
wrote and arranged all of the very colorful music, which is reminiscent in spirit (but not derivative) of
Charles Mingus
and in some stretches early-'70s
Miles Davis
, he does not solo more than the other players and is sometimes overshadowed by the two powerful saxophonists (altoist
Achim Escher
and
Christoph Erb
on tenor) and the passionate rhythm section. The often noisy music constantly keeps one guessing and is highly recommended to open-minded listeners. ~ Scott Yanow