In his liner notes Canadian saxophonist Joel Miller says that this disc was inspired by Jung’s writings on the symbolism of the mandala. On the cover is Miller’s hand-drawn version of the jazz musician’s favorite mandala, the circle of fifths, annotated with his own quirky titles and mental assocations (“Green Party” for A major; “Dorado / through winter” for B major), and apparently the original plan was to include twelve pieces in all twelve major keys. In the end the album is not quite that schematic, but the mood is still generally upbeat, clean and airy, often suggesting pop songs or children’s songs. Even satirical squibs like “War con U.S.A.” and “Lets Go Shootin’” come off like pungent, primary-color cartoons rather than heated polemic. It’s smart-but-not-heavy music; Miller pulls out his soprano sax as often as his tenor and throws in electronic effects and samples, and he’s aided by a crack team of Montrealers plus guest-star Kurt Rosenwinkel. There are moments of genuine fragility – “Fell to Pieces,” on which Bill Mahar’s yearning trumpet line is straight out of Dave Douglas, and the bittersweet “Now That I Own a TV” – but the emphasis falls on grace and zip, above all on the jumpy “Rasher” and the carefree neo-bop firecrackers “Aqua Land” and “Step Into My Office.” The lengthy running time and stylistic mix’n’match make for a certain diffuseness, but it’s hard to complain when the results are this colorful and entertaining. Rosenwinkel’s balmy, echoing guitar is a major bonus, too.

Nate Dorward

Cadence, 2005