Very much a "normal" big-band sound but often veers into more modern tangents including twisty Liebman solos on soprano sax. #1 is particularly "out there" at times, but the rest of the disk has a more traditional feel.

The gimmick is that each piece had a different arranger, giving the disk a wide sample of sounds and moods. So, not only are most tracks very good (all but #2, which is erasable pabulum, to my taste), but the CD as a whole is a rewarding listen, an expanse of possibilities.

1*- Harsh and thundering, in a swingy-jazz kind of way. Combines some Japanese themes with big-band moods

2- Soft pop-jazz, arranged by smooth jazz perpetrator Vince Mendoza

3*- Fast, slyly chugging take on "Sing Sing Sing" [an old and famous song... trust me, you've heard it]. Includes an adventurous sax solo and a wacky, brash call-and-response segment near the end

4- Slow/mid and loungy, with dizzy spiraling theme

5*- Fusion, whoa! Gutsy electric fuzz and fast horns

6- Slowish and restrained, with sparse, abstract improv segments. Some rewarding exploration, although it won't grab you on a casual listen

7*- Mildly Latin, with Spanish guitar. Mid/fast and gentle, very "nice." Includes a skronky sax solo.