For those unaware, Michael Dease has fully earned his stature as one of the great trombonists and jazz figures of these times. His formidably on the instrument, matched by his pursuit of inspired musical challenges and robust partnerships, is fully on display in the double CD, City Life his third album devoted to the music of composer Gregg Hill.

Teaming with two of the more powerful voices in music - bassist Linda May Oh and drummer Jeff Tain Watts - Dease devotes Disc One to a kinetically charged trio environment, capturing the gritty side of City Life by sparring freely with his trio mates while they masterfully cohabitate the flow of time.

Disc Two adds saxophonist Nicole Glover and pianist Geoffrey Keezer to the soundscape, which may reflect a sophisticated counterview, with each disc capturing a perspective of the contradictions that make up City Life.

Dease proves yet again that straight-ahead post-bop can prove to be fertile ground for musical ingenuity and emotional heft as he tips, grandly, to composer Gregg Hill.

Disc 1: Trio
1. Willow Walks In
2. City Life
3. Danger Zone
4. Movie Theme
5. Sweet Georgia Gillespie
6. Double Bill
7 Claxilever
8. Catalyst
9. Say Whaaat?
10. Movie Theme (Reprise)

This elegantly sculpted, wholly impassioned new recording opens on disc one, which is their Trio arrangements, and the playfully perky Willow Walks In, the emboldened title track City Life and the languishing, yet cultured Danger Zone, and then we are brought forth the low slung ambiance of Movie Theme, the furtively curious Sweet Georgia Gillespie, an enriched Double Bill and the late night, smokey club-hued Claxilever, their set rounding out on the resplendent Catalyst, the exuberant Say Whaaat? and then comes a six minute reprise of Movie Theme.

Disc 2: Quintet
1. Tea Time
2. The Classic II
3. Grave Concerns
4. Mr. Hurt
5. Rainy Afternoon
6. Enigma
7. Skittles
8. Blues for Herb
9. Lafayette Square

Up next on the second disc is their Quintet recordings, which open on the formidable Tea Time, the fervently sculpted gem The Classic II, and some mighty fine and detailed nuances found within Grave Concerns and they are in turn backed by the flourishing Mr. Hurt, a heartfelt Rainy Afternoon, then we get the seductively-hued Enigma, the set closing on the rhythmically forthright Skittles, the unabashed Blues for Herb, and the finger-snapper Lafayette Square.

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