Tisziji Muñoz, Paul Shaffer, Lew Soloff – The Paradox Of Completion

Featuring Tisziji Munoz on guitar, Lew Soloff on trumpet, Paul Shaffer on piano & synth, Don Pate on acoustic bass and Rakalam Bob Moses & Tony Falco on drums. This music was recorded live at the Falcon in Marlboro, NY in October of 2013. Ever since trumpeter Lou Soloff play on the first album from Blood, Sweat & Tears in 1968, I have been a fan of his. Mr. Soloff was a master musician who worked with many giants: Duke Ellington, Carla Bley, Gil Evans, George Russell and many more. Longtime friend and collaborator to Tisziji Munoz, Paul Shaffer, was close friends with Mr. Soloff and brought the two together for this rare live date. The results are just incredible as this special sextet stretch out over almost two hours, perhaps two sets of cosmic music. The group performs mostly the original music of Mr. Munoz, except for first epic-length song, an incredible version of “My Favorite Things”. This classic song, made famous by John Coltrane in the early 1960’s, is given a slowed down, dream-like treatment. Munoz takes a long and winding solo that keeps building, increasing in tempo and intensity throughout. Mr. Soloff also plays a fine solo, once again building as the great rhythm team (piano, bass & two drummers) swell around him in waves. Eventually, both Munoz and Soloff spin webs around one another in the last section of the song, with some superb and occasionally sublime interaction involved. Munoz chose a half dozen of his best songs for this night, each one gets a rousing, inspired version. A number of these songs are anthem-like and Mr. Soloff is in amazing form, exchanging lines with Munoz, revving higher as they ascend toward the stars and beyond. One of favorite songs by Munoz is called “Visiting This Planet”, which gets an especially explosive performance here. The exchange of lines between the guitar and trumpet is just mind-blowing! If music is indeed the healing force of the universe, then what we have here is some healing sounds for our currently troubled times. So jump in and ride the waves higher and higher! This is just what the good doctor ordered! - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG