Led by Hot Toddy member Leblanc on electric guitar, the quartet unloads the downbeats and improvisations on the 11:29-minute long opener, “Third and goal.” Then, the group goes to work, rearranging jazz, groove, breakbeats and rock with depth of skill and emotion. “Somebody Else Play Goal,” “Butt Out” and “Portland” are excellent examples, out of many very good ones, of how the players set upon a theme, build on it, return to it, break it down, build it back up. In so doing, they evoke Jerry Granelli’s V16 project. Leblanc is joined by Scott Culligan (bass), Jonathan Dutcher (Fender Rhodes) and Greg Harrison (drums). Together they deliver.
This article appears in Feb 11-17, 2010.
