Like his hometown compatriot Ken Vandermark, saxophonist David Boykin is beginning to showcase the true depths of his musical interest, from his two Outet records that revealed his devotion to intricate dynamics, group interplay, and structured improvisation to his fiery duet record with percussionist Bakari Davis to this new band, the Expanse. While artists such as Courtney Pine and Steve Coleman have touched upon the jazz world in the same way Boykin has, neither has reached its deepest well of expression. The David Boykin Expanse is a quintet that also features Marquecia Johnson on vocals in some places. The playing is very much in the Strata East vein -- full of soul and bluesy accents while remaining spiritually exploratory and skirting the modal edges. The title track with the wraparound piano solo by Jim Baker and its contrapuntal harmonic response by Boykin is almost revelatory in its instinctive intimacy. The staccato flash of Circus, with its dueling reeds and woodwinds (courtesy of Boykin and flutist Nicole Mitchell) is utterly engaging in the same way Rahsaan Roland Kirk's Rip, Rig and Panic album was: The lid is off on the solos, the swinging is hard and true, and the spirits are out to play with the rhythmic and harmonic point spreads. The sheer musical sophistication of Boykin's vision, combined with his soulfully enthusiastic approach and a crack band, makes this a necessary addition to the new jazz catalog. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi

1		47th Street Ghost
2		Circus
3		Jiffy Pop
4		Antimatter
5		Sunrise
6		Jacuzzi
7		Niki's Bounce
8		Virgo
9		Sunset
10		Stalking the Cat

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