HelMel

This 73-minute album captures a sextet session at HelMel Studios, on Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, last February. The group consists of four sax players: Vinny Golia, Patrick Shiroishi, Catherine Sikora, and Stanley Jason Zappa, joined by pianist Andrew Wedman and drummer Nick Skrowaczewski. The nine tracks showcase various combinations of players, including an opening piano and drum duo, Sikora solo, a sax trio, and various horn / piano / drums combos, culminating in the fiery all-hands-on-deck closer. "Long, wonderful session for four saxes, piano and percussion. Vinny Golia’s reeds have long been a guiding light of the Los Angeles free scene, and this sextet play great.