It is not too difficult to approach a full-length album of only trombone, tenor saxophone, and tuba with some skepticism, particularly when the leader is known for pursuing the fringes of abstraction. The pieces represented here, though, while not compromising their essentially radical nature, are surprisingly attractive, both as vehicles for improvisation and as examples of complex, melodic constructs. Add to that the top-rate soloing of Wolter Weirbos and Hübsch and the ingredients are there for something special. Those familiar with the remarkable technical skills of Weirbos' trombone and Hübsch's tuba will not be disappointed, and the arranging brilliantly allows considerable variety with the trombonist adding additional color with his muted horn. Matthias Schubert is by far the most conservative-sounding of the trio, a nice foil for the brass. What is amazing is how Hübsch ties it all together by giving it the aural appearance of a much larger group. His tuba steps to the plate as a sort of substitute bass when necessary (on portions of Epizykel, for example), or as a supercharged hard bopper (on NGC 7541), or as a Man on the Fringe (on Tenuto). Structurally, NGC is the most developed composition, with influences as diverse as Anthony Braxton and Charles Mingus. The difficult horn parts challenge the players, but the lines are played carefully even at breakneck tempos, although the tune abruptly ends in the middle of a statement by the sax. If there are any disappointments, it is in the playing of Schubert, who, while adequate, plays the role of third fiddle, and, at least here, does not measure up to the very high standards of the adventurous trombone and tuba. ~ Steven Loewy, Rovi

1		Epizykel I
2		Epizykel II
3		Epizykel III
4		Epizykel IV
5		Tenuto
6		NGC 7541