" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Ruby's spirited sax lines. Other pieces are driven by brawny dialogues and forceful grooves, but "Ivory" lacks a memorable theme, and is framed on linear progressions and a dash of soul, although Hoefner's investigative voicings help elevate the piece out of anonymity. However, they convey more depth on "Ankunft," where manifold choruses and pulsating flows generate intensifying rhythmic passages.

The band finalizes the outing with the largely uneventful "Behind the Sun," constructed on a slow-moving rock gait, and highlighted by Ruby's bluesy inflections. Underscored with a bit of pop to consummate a no-frills thematic foray, the composition is embellished by Hoefner's trickling, upper-register single-note clusters layered over the top.

The quartet exhibits a good deal of promise, but when viewed within the vast catalogue of nascent post-bop or modern mainstream units saturating the marketplace, there needs to be a mark of distinction. Technically proficient, Hoefner and associates spark interest with cunning developments that unfortunately don't compensate for some of the routine song forms and movements.