From Amazon.co.uk
Regardless of their abilities, percussionists are not normally the most prominent figures in the band, and it's not surprising if it takes them a lifetime to debut as leader. Mino Cinelu may be remembered as the pots and pans man in Miles Davis's group back in the early 1980s, and this is his first outing in the driving seat. The question is, can someone best known for hitting things write and play a good tune? Often enough, percussionists employ a sideman to do that job, but Cinelu has here shouldered the responsibility himself. The result is no doubt personal, but probably over-ambitious. On this showing his compositions are rather fragmented medleys of ethnic mannerisms rather than substantial pieces, and the tone can appear self-indulgent if not grandiose. But the percussion can't be faulted, and there is fleet-jazz soloing from guitarist Mitch Stein on such pieces as "Oncoming Horizons". --
Mark Gilbert
