Dan Schnelle: Shine Thru

This debut album from one of the West Coast's go-to drummers delivers an empyrean escape while offering a clear look at the impressive inner workings of a beautiful mind in motion. Those who know Dan Schnelle as a sideman will recognize his master musicianship right off the bat as he lays the foundation for this absorbing music, but they'll probably also come to realize that there's far more to the man than his stick work. In crafting a program built on boundless imagination and a fearless approach to collaboration, Schnelle sets himself apart as a composer and a leader.

Joining forces with saxophonist David Binney, keyboardist Jeff Babko, pianist Josh Nelson, guitarist Anthony Wilson and bassist Alex Boneham, Schnelle sets off to explore what lies beyond the horizon. The fiery opener, "Unknown Territory," rockets to the stars with confidence and curiosity. "Spaceman Spiff" puts Wilson in a pilot's seat and finds Babko conjuring extraterrestrial transmissions with his keys. The title track, set atop Schnelle's irresistible groove work, dances toward divine light and knowledge. "New Changes," with Morse code embedded in the heavenly aurora, binds commitment to freedom. And "Unknown Outro" proves unsettling and undeniably hip.

While there's a clear emphasis on texture, atmosphere and rhythm in all of these original works, melody plays a key part too. And it's Wilson, more than anybody, who draws attention to that aspect of the production. Whether he's doling out intriguing lead lines in moving toward a hand-off to Binney during "2nd Orbit," demonstrating the value of simplicity on "Thin Skinned" or offering grace in space on "The People's Republic," the guitarist proves to be a magnet for the ears and a vessel for Schnelle to shine through.