Offset Rhapsody CD

Trumpeter Ralph Alessi, saxophonists Peter Epstein, Chuck Manning, Scott Mayo and Bob Sheppard (especially on bass clarinet,) bassist Darek Oleszkiewicz, and drummer Dan Morris read and play the music extraordinarily well. There is no excess or filler. Carney himself is light when he wants, forceful when he has to be, subtle and bluesy when he chooses. He himself, in this democratic ensemble, is not as distinctive as the witty, meaty, mighty music he is creating and sharing. Quite a solid date, as hopes rise anticipating the third release from one of the brightest lights on the new jazz scene.