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It always feels as though Kenny Wheeler's last release of his own music under his own name was indeed a long time ago. Then, of course, when new releases do arrive, it almost seems unreasonable to expect compositions of such impeccable quality to appear more often. This is a set of seven works for brass ensemble, with additional soloists in the capable forms of pianist John Taylor and guitarist John Parricelli, with Wheeler himself on flugelhorn. From the yearning euphony of the opening of the half-hour suite from which this disc takes its name it's clear we're in prime Wheeler territory. The pieces eschew instrumental extremes and unfold for the most part with an unhurried, near-pastoral tranquillity, yet each contains an inner forcefulness which makes every note in every register seem like the only possible choice. This is one characteristic of Wheeler's compositions, while another is a degree of mastery of his musical material that allows a track like "Going For Baroque" to be entirely listenable in its own right without relying on its element of gentle pastiche. Wheeler's legendary self-effacing demeanour proved long ago that you don't have to be manic to be a genius; this recording demonstrates that the powerful music he makes doesn't have to run in permanent overdrive either. --Roger Thomas