Igor Lunder Sextet: Igor Lunder Sextet

The self-titled debut album by the Igor Lunder Sextet features exceedingly tasteful and smooth performances of material composed and arranged by guitarist Lunder, which is uniformly melodic and tranquil. The first listen tends to be absorbed with little effort into one's consciousness. The next few listens reveal the artful arrangements and subtle skill of the musicians.

For a decent-sized band, the members of Lunder's sextet do an admirable job of getting out of each others' way and creating a sound that is uncluttered and transparent while maintaining the necessary lushness the arrangements call for. The cultivation of space by both the rhythm section and the front line soloists is commendable and makes for fine late night listening when the jittery, caffeinated urge to plaster notes over every second is way too unsettling. Lunder's opening statement on "O.K. No K. is particularly lovely and ushers in a slightly melancholy reverie from the rest of the band.

For the most part, however, the album is less a collection of standout moments than a mood-sustaining effort. One searches in vain for any gripping episodes and instead settles for the overall effect of tranquility the recording produces.

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