Ryan Haines Big Band: New Horizons

The bandleader makes an immediate immpression with the up-tempo starter, "New Horizons," where, as the liner notes state, he "..shows off his polished ad-libbing skills." The trombonist pays homage to the big band swing era with the light and bouncy sounce of "Swing Open." Both the album and the tune "Without You," where the leader makes an appropriately strong and pronounced presence on the trombone, are dedicated to the memory of his late nephew, Mathew David Haines. Following this emotional piece, Haines takes flight on the bass trombone with "Bottom End Shuffle," where he makes room for the deep baritone of Doug Morgan.

The band plays fast and furious on the quick-moving "No Harm, No Foul," featuring a hot and heavy duel of sorts between Haines on the bones and Tedd Baker on tenor. On the warm, trombone-driven ballad "Goodnight Story" we're treated to a nice serving of soft and mellow melodies. Haines rounds out the program with a patriotic tribute in the form of an emotional yet very hip treatment of "America The Beautiful."

While this is the group's second album for Sea Breeze Records (2001's To The Sky was the first), it strectches beyond the boundaries of the earlier tribute to the US Air Force. With a sharp and vigorous performance by his hand-picked crew complimenting the many voices of his trombone, Haines engineers a persuasive and formidable recording with New Horizons.

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