Founded in 1999, OmniTone is a Brooklyn-based jazz label dedicated to releasing new recordings of "adventurous and listenable jazz" from today's foremost creative improvisers. On this impressive mix of straight-ahead, post-bop and Latin jazz, the New York-based Pete McCann finally takes center stage after years of being a sideman for artists like Kenny Wheeler, Kenny Garrett, Dave Liebman, the Mahavishnu Project, Peter Erskine, and Curtis Stigers. Creating a multifaceted, moodswinging date designed to appeal to both sophisticated jazz fans and Most Folks, as well as McCann and his quintet alternate from high-energy swinging to lower key affairs. The guitarist reveals his deft sense of improvisation from the start, taking a swift solo a few minutes into the opening title track, egged on by Mark Ferber's chugging drums and brushes and bassist John Hebert's cool grooving. McCann is a great ensemble player, too, easing in and out of John O'Gallagher's lush alto melody on Jojo's Waltz and doubling perfectly with his saxman on the opening segments of the progressive jazz piece About Face. While McCann and his swing-happy crew seem most at home in the uptempo mode, (the feisty Split Decision comes to mind), they're not above playing it weird and intriguing on slower, hypnotic, and ambient numbers like Hunter Gatherer. This is a strong indie jazz record that marks the solo emergence of a guitarist who shouldn't stay on the sidelines any longer. ~ Jonathan Widran, Rovi

1		Most Folks
2		Jojo's Waltz
3		Rack 'Em Up
4		Las Tias
5		About Face
6		Yes, My Friend
7		Hunter Gatherer
8		JM
9		Third Wheel
10		Split Decision
11		Worth

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