"Rush Life"

Antonio Ciacca Quintet

(Motema)

New York-based pianist and composer Antonio Ciacca's music is at heart traditional, yet also takes risks, so it feels fresh. Take the flies-along "Chipewa," his original on the chord changes of "Cherokee," where everybody -- trumpeter Joe Magnarelli, tenorman Stacy Dillard, bassist Kengo Nakamura, and drummer Rodney Green -- steps out. A written ensemble figure and free horns lead to the pianist's clean lines and on-the-money chords, then Dillard and Magnarelli with plentiful notes shaped into multihued, flowing packages. Nakamura's fat, supple notes and Green's brushes also get to dance.

"Flat 5 Flat 9" goes from an angular theme statement to one with smooth curves, and encourages like solos. Heraldic horns set up a Latin-to-swing look at "Green Dolphin Street," with a slightly altered theme. Magnarelli, characteristically, plays nothing but good notes; Ciacca and Dillard, too. The trumpeter warmly delivers "I Remember Clifford," with Ciacca the songlike soloist. The title track features emotive Dillard on a new line on "Body and Soul" chords.

Download this: "Chipewa"

-- Zan Stewart