Charismatic ex-Empirical trumpeter/composer Phelps draws as much on Louis Armstrong's rabble rousing gospel chops as he does Dave Douglas's angular modern approach as he leads his own swing-to-modern big band with the irrepressible guest vocals of jazz singer Teal. Other highlights include Gillespie's spiky jazz-edged socio-political songs, here featuring scorching alto sax from Atzmon, plus piano star Downes' richly textured jazz sextet.
