Baron Tymas: Montréal

The title of this album recalls guitarist Baron Tymas's experience as a Fulbright Fellow at Concordia University, Montréal in late 2015. All the compositions here are written by Tymas and mostly they are inspired by the sights, sounds and people of that city. It was warm during the fall of that year and the music here reflects that pleasant climate.

"The Laval Syndicate" opens this set and benefits from the addition of guest trumpeter Charles Ellison to broaden the sound of the quartet. The Latin-tinged "Chasing Its Tail" is followed by a feistier "Orange Et Vert." "Do Right" is a moderately paced number with some convincing licks from Tymas.

Sultry, wordless vocals from Jeri Brown on the languid "And Oui" contrast sharply with the effervescent "Wishbone" with some strident, rocky guitar from Tymas. Continuing the poultry theme, "Chicken On The Beach" is an allegretto outing in which Jim Doxas's crisp drumming ensures a swinging pace. The closer, surely a subtle paean to Duke's "A Train," is even more of a swinger, and here it's Sage Rager's bright piano that starts the proceedings followed by more vibrant guitar work from Tymas and a tightly constructed coda to finish.

Tymas, who's also an Associate Professor of Music at North Carolina Central University, has produced yet another very appealing album in the wake of its predecessors Insight At Midnight and Blues For The Tribe.