The Hat with the Grin and the Chuckle

Playing bandoneon as well as vibes and percussion, Ben Thomas takes the ideas of Astor Piazzolla to the next level with a mix of sophistication and warmth on this album of originals. Teamed with Eric Likkel/cl, Ste4ve Schermer/b, Laura Coronel-Elizabeth Phelps/vi and Gabe Hall-Rodrigues/p Thomas puts the "nuovo" in "Tango Nuovo" with the fingers prancing on the dramatic "The Second Brick" and creating eerie long shadows on the visceral "Valley Shroud". Rich dance strides are provided for on "An Unapologetic Shift of Perspective" with the title piece forming reflective ideas between Schermer and Hall-Rodrigues". LIkkel and Coronel ooze romance on "Sonia's Mask" and the dance floor shakes on "The Promise of Morning". Old world made modern.