Subject to Change

“Donora native Jae Sinnett is one of those drummers whose work climbs its way over the band around him.  Like Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts, he constantly produces clever and aggressive thoughts with his drums that are hard to avoid once a listener is aware of them.  Subject to Change brings that ability into view in a collection of seven originals by the drummer and a version of Sunny that gives the song more energy than it usually has.  The band, usually a sextet with other members on some tracks, features the reliable Steve Wilson on tenor and alto saxes, keyboardist Justin Kauflin and bassist Terry Burrell, the latter two members of Sinnett’s usual trio.  With three trumpeters in various roles, the band has a brassy quality that provides a crispness to the post-modern style of the charts.  But, while it has great energy on pieces such as What Goes Round, featuring an electronic trumpet, it can pull back on the milder Chocolate Soles.  Sinnett’s work deserves more exposure.”

Bob Karlovits, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review