(Hot Shoe Records)

Composer/trumpeter Darren English makes a tremendous recording debut with Imagine Nation. A native of South Africa, English builds his production around a suite of his well-crafted compositions paying tribute to Nelson Mandela, as well as presenting his playing and arranging skills with fantastic covers of tunes by Ray Noble, Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Loesser, Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Mercer. The project also showcases the interplay of some other outstanding musicians, including trumpet players Russell Gunn and Joe Grandsen, pianist Kenny Banks Jr., saxophonist Greg Tardy, bassist Billy Thornton and drummer Chris Burroughs. Vocalist Carmen Bradford is a very welcomed addition on several tracks. This effort definitely makes English a talent to watch in years to come.