Philip Dizack’s End of an Era the trumpeter’s second release is a nocturnal urban soundtrack reflecting the end of one era and it’s transformative rebirth into another.

End of an era opens with a nice piano intro. Suspended chords and string pads pull back the curtain as Phillip steps up to the mic. The music immediately conveys a sophisticated textural ambience with Phillip’s fine playing always in service of the music never the reverse.

Grow the bop influenced second track illustrates the band’s conceit -bringing together sensibilities from the era ended and the one we are in. Electric piano jabs create an interesting ensemble flavor that mixes nicely with the

horn dialogue -evoking the era of those great Blue- Note recordings where the horn players were front and center. Here, the horns are supported with a modern sounding rhythm section –one era reborn into another – The head out is nicely played for any era.

The Bass takes the melody in Forest Walker. Congas and percussion support the plaintive lead within a medium groove.

Thuja night begins with a traditional trumpet drum and bass trio before

the drums and bass lock into a hot groove – This is night music ! The half-valved  notes and pop flavor , subtle bass harmonics – sound just right !

What  if –  a cover of the Coldplay tune – the only track not written by Phillip begins with a flavorful muted trumpet . This is very smooth without being vacuous – The arrangement has a beautiful pop sensibility! From the chamber like strings to the late –night – rainy drive home single note piano thoughts dropping like rain on the windshield… The electric piano mixes nicely with the acoustic – solo string lines are painted into the ensemble canvas--- and build into a trumpet driven power pop ballad unwinding to a nice trumpet and piano resolution.

The 70’s sounding open of Book of Stones  -- full of harmonic anticipation moves into a dynamic horn driven head. The band is crisp and responsive as the piano takes the lead. Tasty solo percussion textures lead us back into the theme.

Book of Stones relaxes into a very pleasant exhalation as it winds down through the form.  An atmospheric section /intro leads into a soulful reading of the head

The solos here and throughout the recording are never jamming or meandering – but are always structured within the texture of the arrangements – serving the composition.

Yele starts with piano and pad like the beginning of an epic film. A cool trumpet bass and drum trio – blooms from the film type intro. A dreamy interlude evolves back to the full band. Nice piano solo here as the drums open up leaving some welcome space. The Strings create a provocative and intriguing cushion for the single note piano wanderings.  After a strong trumpet lead and the theme out Yele moves into a sparse section before settling down to a close.

Mirror, Mirror is nicely arranged and fun. Musical echoes between the horn and piano – like a mirror – will intoxicate and captivate. Here the band is at it’s best – approaching a pop ballad from the perspective of a classic jazz horn group.

Parenthetical improvisational sections move into a full – fledged –more traditional trumpet solo here – and are structured back into the theme allowing pockets of nuance from the bass and piano in the evolving landscape. There is a recapitulation of the “Mirror Mirror” theme --- infused into the final chord – as the horns fade.

 End of an Era is great music for listening – and great for the background – a perfect fit for smooth jazz radio networks, driving to dinner and driving home from dinner…

The Torch has been passed from one era into another and on Torch – one of my favorites …  the piano and trumpet end the collection with a classic ballad-- cleaning the palate… A very nice transition – a sort of pop and jazz flavored lullaby.

This simple final tune like the rest of End of an Era will appeal to a wide range of listeners regardless of what era they may be from.