Vinny Golia Quintet - Dante No Longer Repents (1997)

One of the finest groups that multi-reedist Vinny Golia has ever led is the quintet that is featured on Dante No Longer Repents, and other recordings from the period. With this lineup, Golia's music can range from free bop to moody sound explorations, swinging hard in its own fashion. Golia, who plays six different instruments on this set, works particularly well with trumpeter Rob Blakeslee while the rhythm section is continually active; bassist Michael Bisio is especially impressive. The music is episodic yet mostly continuous, with one lengthy selection flowing into the other. Golia has an opportunity to be heard at length on all six horns, being most impressive on soprano and bass clarinet, although he does display a huge tone on baritone during the first part of "Cents Of Wonder." Although forbidding in spots, this is one of Vinny Golia's more accessible and rewarding releases.