" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Lauren and his All Stars continues and strengthens their fresh path through intelligent modernism. Their brightly-lit road intersects again and again with a variety of classic jazz genres. This energetic sixteen-track outing is presented in a unique style. Interspersed between the songs are six short drum duets with trumpet, piano, contrabass, saxophone, guitar, and vibraphone. These offerings rapidly push into richer jazz complexities that serve to buffer and segue into the more accessible four to five-minute tunes. As much as the record is buoyed by the septet's integrity as an ensemble, and with the individual fronts taking the curves at high speeds and delicately maneuvering the crossings, it is Lauren's strong leadership that is felt throughout. Never overpowering, Lauren's nuanced ability to comfortably and skillfully execute many jazz interpretations provides a presence that allows his bandmates to stretch, explore, and improvise freely.

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