If Steve Swallow is known primarily as an ace session bassist, it's not because his compositions are less than top-notch. This program finds him showing off his considerable writing chops with the help of an all-star group: trumpeter Tom Harrell, saxophonist Joe Lovano, pianist Mulgrew Miller and drummer Jack DeJohnette. His focus on the upper registers and the polyester tone of his five-string bass guitar will continue to annoy those who prefer to hear the bass played dark, low and woody, but there's no denying the consistent inventiveness of his playing or the charm of these compositions. - Rick Anderson
Tracks
01. Bite Your Grandmother
02. Second Handy Motion
03. Wrong Together
04. Outfits
05. Thinking Out Loud
06. Let's Eat
07. Better Times
08. Willow
09. Muddy in the Bank
10. Ponytail
STEVE SWALLOW bass
JACK DeJOHNETTE drums
MULGREW MILLER piano
JOE LOVANO tenor saxophone
TOM HARRELL trumpet, flugelhorn
All music composed by Steve Swallow
Recorded at Grog Kill Studio, Willow, New York, December 1993
XtraWATT/ECM Records XtraWATT - 521 637-2