This instrumental album might have been a better fit under non-prog. I’ve landed it under progressive rock because that’s where we put fusion, and it certainly comes close to that heading a lot of the time. Vance Thompson’s instrument is vibraphone, so that is a prominent element throughout the album. The rest of the band (Taber Gable – piano, Steve Kovalcheck – guitar, Tommy Sauter – bass and Marcus Finnie- drums) all get the chance to shine, though. This is an effective release from start to finish with some moments that really shine.

There is such a playful jazz groove built into this thing. It’s bouncy and fun. The jam mid-track really stands tall. The piano solo on this thing is absolutely on fire. But then everything about this works so well.

A little slower, this has a bit of a fusion meets world groove at play. It leans on a proggy angle in some ways. It’s still 100 percent locked into jazz zones, but there are some nuances here.

Now, this one gets into more trippy, fusion-like zones as it makes its way forward. I really love the tasty, but subdued, guitar solo on this beast.

I really dig the bouncy groove of this tune. It has fusion and mainstream jazz elements both on display. The jam later in the track features some killer bass work and a more adventurous arrangement. Other instruments get a chance to shine on that section, too, taking solos one after another.

Piano and vibraphone are at the heart of this as it gets underway. The arrangement fills out as it continues. This is a classy piece that has a classic vibe to it. Everyone gets the chance to shine here, but I particularly love some of the bass work on this. 

Here we get Thompson and company’s take on a Chick Corea tune. The guitar solo on this thing is on fire. The whole tune has a great fusion groove to it, though. Everything about this screams class and really works well.

This is a bit more of a playful type of tune. It has a lot of style and charm. The guitar soloing on this is absolutely breathtaking.

The funk bass that gets this started is so tasty. The track takes us into some of the most decidedly fusion territory as it gets going. This is another killer piece of music. It’s got some cool twists and turns and intriguing passages. The vibraphone solo on this is among the most potent of the disc too, and that says a lot. The funk is vacant from a lot of the track, but it returns in a rhythm section workout later.

This interpretation of the well-known number is a slow moving ballad. It’s pretty.