Robin Eubanks More Than Meets the Ear (ArtistShare)
JAZZIZ On Disc (Disc Two)
For nearly 30 years, trombonist and composer Robin Eubanks has earned raves for his contributions to the Dave Holland Quintet and Big Band. The older brother of guitarist Kevin Eubanks, he’s also recorded and performed with his own ensembles. However, on More Than Meets the Ear (ArtistShare), his latest release, Eubanks helms his own big band for the first time on record. Deftly playing acoustic and electric trombones, Eubanks leads the 19-piece Mass Line Big Band through an entertaining set of colorful original material. Mass Line is packed with talent, and the new album features rich solo work from saxophonists Marcus Strickland and Antonio Hart and trumpeters Alex Sipiagin, Robin’s brother Duane Eubanks and the late Lew Soloff, among others. Electric or unplugged, the leader’s own performances are thrilling. On More Than Meets the Ear‘s rhythmically spiky title track, included here, Eubanks utilizes a funky, wah-wah-pedal effect in the song’s first section, lending a playful aspect to the ever-shifting tonal palette.