Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band
Life in the Bubble
Concord Music
When Gordon Goodwin called his group the Big Phat Band, he wasn’t kidding; There are at least 20 people in there. Goodwin knows what he’s doing though — the Grammy-winning pianist-saxophonist-bandleader has commanded the respect of some of contemporary jazz’s big-hitters since emerging during the neo-swing wave in the late ’90s. We love the album art too — style points are due for a look that recalls a more charming era. The music is infectious; Goodwin has a real gift for creating a sound that will please jazz-heads and newcomers alike. The pace is frenetic, yet spacious, and all 20 musicians get a chance to shine. —Brett Callwood
