Robbin Goodie

The to-die for personnel that Russian saxophonist Zhenya Strigalev has assembled for his Smiling Organism band is fast company indeed. Trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire is a contemporary trailblazer and current Blue Note lead voice while drummer Eric Harland's sensitive cross rhythms are at the heart of Charles Lloyd's touring band. Here they give their all on a set of Strigalev originals, characterized by the composer as "a mixture of Robin Hood and Boogie Woogie". Add in boppish lines, brilliant playing and the occasional free-form flourish, and that's about right.