Filiano and his duo partner Steve Adams have both made names for themselves on the West Coast -- Adams in San Francisco, where he's a member of the ROVA Saxophone Quartet and a free-lance multi-woodwind virtuoso; Filiano in Los Angeles, where he's been both a session bassist and a member of numerous very fine bands led by another very prolific reed player, Vinny Golia. Filiano now lives in New York, but he and Adams still manage to collaborate on occasion. This record was made when the bassist still lived in LA. It's ostensibly a duo recording; however, due to some effective overdubbing and rather creative use of studio effects, the sound is often more like that of a larger ensemble. Adams has a rather dry, astringent style that is nonetheless quite emotionally compelling; there's an uncertain edge to his playing that keeps the listener on his or her toes, and that's a a good thing. Filiano accommodates dual needs within the duo: first, he holds down the rhythmic and harmonic bottom, utterly fulfilling the traditional role of the jazz bassist. Second, he possesses the type of facility that enables him to interact melodically with the saxophonist on equal terms. Both an exceedingly well-developed technique and an ample imagination is necessary if a bassist is to thrive in a context such as this; Filiano checks out on both counts. On several of the fully improvised cuts, especially, the duo's incisiveness cuts to the bone. Their rapport is most genuine, their artistry comprehensive; this is a first-class performance. ~ Chris Kelsey, Rovi

1		Unity
2		Throb
3		Verticality I
4		Heartfelt Return
5		Fliz-Mo-Blues
6		Verticality II
7		Haiku # 6
8		Haiku # 7
9		Haiku # 13
10		Enchantment
11		Haiku # 8
12		Axis
13		Myself See There
14		Tag
15		Haiku # 3
16		Signal Buoys