From the first time I ever heard Pat Metheny’s music (for me it was high school), it grabbed me. His music always has vibes, and is rich with emotional and musical depth. I go through periods in my life where i don’t listen to a lot of music. This album was released in one of those times, so I missed it when it came out. I stumbled upon it when coming back from one of my breaks from music. It was a really nice entry back into music listening. The personnel is Pat Metheny on guitars (and producer as well), Chris Potter on saxophones and bass clarinet, Ben Williams on bass, and Antonio Sanchez on drums and they vibe. This album has a very distinct sound all the way through, with the only exception being for me being the second track “Roof Dogs”. The guitar synth just sort hit me over the head because it’s just so sonically different than the rest of the album. Not hating on the synth at all. It’s all over some of my favorite Pat Metheny Group albums. It just that it sticks out on this to me here.

There are so many beautiful moments on this recording, that I couldn’t pick a favorite one. I will say that my favorite tune is probably “This Belongs To you”. It’s just beautiful. It’s pure Pat….beauty and emotion. From a saxophone perspective, Chris Potter does things that you just don’t hear people doing, as usual. His mastery of the high altissimo register is insane and at times made me laugh out loud on this album. His typical spectacular phrasing and vocabulary are fully on display here as well. This is some of my favorite Potter as I feel like Pat and his music bring certain things out in people and Chris’ playing here speaks to me more than some of his other recordings.

Overall, it’s a joy to hear these guys work their way through some beautiful compositions and interesting chord changes. Pat is just exceptional at that, seeming to always hit the right notes to lead you to the next venture. If you’re sitting down to listen, or are going to have some time in the car, check it out. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.