Featuring Ted Nirgiotis on guitar Leonard Sklar on tenor sax Gary Monheit on piano Dan Krimm on fretless electric bass and Matt Willis on drums Fortune Smiles draws on it s members experience in a wide variety of musical forms including classical progressive rock Caribbean and Latin jazz (plus stylistic flavors gathered from around the world such as Indian and Hawaiian) to create a unique and eclectic jazz sound. This self-titled album includes a selection of the band s favorite tunes from the repertoire showcasing a journey through a range of moods textures and styles. The album begins with a tune drawn from Dave Samuels Caribbean Jazz Project: Ivory Coast a rollicking 6-meter groove with roots in West African music treated with fresh western harmonies and modal solo sections. Following that is Walden by bassist Dan Krimm a lilting jazz waltz with an airy melody flying over a series of constantly modulating keys resting occasionally on modal vamps. Next up is Wayne Shorter s touching homage to his wife Ana Maria who was tragically lost aboard TWA flight 800. A poignant solo piano introduction by Gary Monheit leads to a gentle Latin-flavored groove with a melody both hopeful and admiring but repeatedly interrupted by an ominous section filled with harmonic tension and sharp rock-based drums. Then comes Airto Moreira s spirited 7-meter samba Mixing to lift the energy with a trundling groove punctuated by a sharp rhythmic motif played by the band in tight unison. The program continues with The Jody Grind a classic Horace Silver Latin-rock 12-bar blues head on which the band settles into a steady dance beat with everyone getting a chance to offer their improvisational comments. That s followed by Eddie Harris popular jam tune Freedom Jazz Dance with a soft-funk groove that evolves over an extended modal exploration. The penultimate track is Gary Monheit s nostalgic ballad Last Time introduced with another contemplative solo piano invention and leading to a smoky melody seemingly reflecting on the intersection of past present and future ending with a pending dominant 11th chord as if delaying a final parting. Finally a rousing salsa version of Benny Golson s iconic Killer Joe cleanses the palette with a toe-tapping hip-swinging party twist on the old cool classic with a tight-pop ending to leave the listener tidily resolved. UPC : 613285885622