The hard-driving title track, Resistance is Futile hit me where it hurts and I didn't mind a bit! It's a powerful onslaught by these four jazzmen of the apocalypse with Smith's tenor shouting and screaming brushing aside all asunder. Locke's vibes are more restrained. Like Johnstone he takes a softly softly approach. Cosker, as always, dishes out the jazz version of a 'Glasgow kiss'.
New Beginnings is nice and swingy with Smith, as indeed they all are throughout the album, at the top of his game.
Fleeting Dreams is just that. A floating ephemeral opus that probes and searches - seeking who knows what? Smith sets the ball rolling before passing to Locke who, after some tasteful explorations, brings in Johnstone. Unlike so many organ grinders he can solo effectively without, at least on this track, any forearm smashes. Beautiful!
Shape Shifters, a catchy theme, that has Johnstone laying down a solid bassline on the pedals whilst Smith shifts the shape to unlock Locke. After a blast by Johnstone, Cosker does some shifting of his own.
When You Were Born (for Logan) is, presumably, (I have no blurb to stop me from putting my foot in the magumbo) dedicated to Johnstone's child. It's a deeply emotional piece that could depict sadness or love or both.
Beyond Everything, another enigmatic title by Johnstone that has some punchy playing by the composer, hard bop tenor by Smith, Locke in post Jackson mode and the whole shebang worthy of the Blue Note label at its peak - just dig Cosker's drumming!
The Riddler. I don't know if this is dedicated to one of Batman's adversaries or if it refers to some other riddler. It could be any one of The Four Horsemen who all stand their corner well and, in the final eponymous track, They ride out swinging and undefeated, conquering my (jazz) world.
Highly recommended. Lance
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