Album DescriptionFor this, their debut album, the group wanted to preserve as much of the energy and freedom of their live performances as possible. The album starts with The Emperor, a hard driving original by Jim. This piece introduces the listener to the style of the group, and sets the tone of the album; find a groove and build on it. Awakenings is a driving samba which showcases Chris Monroe's Latin percussion skills. Following Awakenings, the standard Just Friends offers a chance to sit back and enjoy some straight ahead jazz stylings. The feel changes quite a bit with Prasek's Lament; this soulful ballad explores several different moods, highlighted by Brian Olendorf's expressive piano solo. The ballad gives way to Keep Off the Grass, a Latin/fusion mix, which features Phil on the fretless electric bass guitar and gives each member of the group a chance to stretch out. Another of Jim's originals, Picking Things Up, takes the album back to straight ahead jazz, swinging from start to finish. Lee Morgan's Ceora, a relaxing bossa nova slows the pace down, and Clifford Brown's Joy Spring gets a unique treatment. The up-tempo Autumn Mist takes the groove back to a jazz samba, with flurrying displays from each of the soloists. Waiting, an original by Phil, offers another refreshing break from the driving nature of the album, and gives Jim a chance to break out his soprano sax. The final track is Throw Me a Bone, a frenetic minor blues that takes the album home.