Kirk MacDonald NEW BEGINNINGS Radioland RACD 10016

The latest release from Toronto firebrand MacDonald on tenor has seven new tunes and a heated band with trumpeter Rob Smith and a rhythm foursome marshalled by pianist Brian Dickinson. From the first notes of the rugged “On The Sierra Nevada” the session is hard-bop heaven, with MacDonald overdubbing alto. He remakes “Stella By Starlight” into “Starlight” and you'll like the outings on “Sideways,” the freewheeling “Kirk's Blues” and the aptly named “Lament For A Better Tomorrow,” where the leader's tender side gets a big ride. All the soloists animate the charts, turning up the improv heat as guitarist Lorne Lofsky, bassist Neil Swainson and drummer Jerry Fuller generate the glowing warmth of an open fire. The familiar speed-demon approach is balanced by work that has substance as well as flash.

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