Do not be fooled by the restraining title of Jonathan Scales’ debut release, or lulled into stereotyped visions of happy-time island music by his instrument (the steel pan drums). Jonathan Scales has a lot to say, and he says it eloquently. Although the disc opens with some relatively pat light-funk numbers, the remainder of this all-original set grows exponentially, encompassing modern jazz, two gorgeous solo pieces and even bluegrass-fusion, all riding high on Scales’ joyously inventive drumming.
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