"On this impressive mix of straight-ahead, post-bop and Latin jazz, the New York-based Pete McCann finally takes center stage after years of being a sideman for a.o. Kenny Wheeler, Kenny Garrett, Dave Liebman, the Mahavishnu Project, Peter Erskine, and Curtis Stigers. The guitarist reveals his deft sense of improvisation from the start, taking a swift solo a few minutes into the opening title track, egged on by Mark Ferber's chugging drums and brushes and bassist John Hebert's cool grooving. McCann is a great ensemble player, too, easing in and out of John O'Gallagher's lush alto melody on "Jojo's Waltz" and doubling perfectly with his saxman on the opening segments of the progressive jazz piece "About Face." While McCann and his swing-happy crew seem most at home in the uptempo mode, (the feisty "Split Decision" comes to mind), they're not above playing it weird and intriguing on slower, hypnotic, and ambient numbers like "Hunter Gatherer." A strong independent jazz record." (Jonathan Widran, Allmusic)
"Owen Howard assembled an ideal band to interpret his compositions, including the twin saxophonists Andrew Rathburn and John O'Gallagher, pianist Gary Versace, and bassist John Hebert. Beginning with the constantly shifting "Derailer" (a reference to shifting gears on a bike), the drummer often implies the rhythm while playing a bit off center. Three different versions of the African-flavored "Kalimba" feature Rathburn and O'Gallagher on soprano sax, each has a distinctive sound even with the same melody. "Sonny Side Up," a tribute to Sonny Rollins, opens with a Caribbean-like solo by the leader, with the tenors dancing around this engaging theme. John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" receives a fresh treatment, played in a rather laid-back setting with Howard's off-center drumming keeping it on edge. Recommended." (Ken Dryden, Allmusic)
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