(Jazz Hang Records)

Steve Lindeman with BYU (Brigham Young University) Synthesis is not ‘your father’s big band’ and their debut recording, The Day After Yesterday, is not your typical big band music. It’s a fresh entry in the genre. It’s not the big overly loud, tint-type ensemble remaking songs from the old big band playbook. This is fresh, refreshing, modern material built from the ground up by Lindeman. You can practically smell the fresh paint and lumber. The music’s contemporary rhythms and times blends nicely with swing and blues to create music that is compelling and contemplative. Mixed in with a horn section which includes trombonist Danny Burt, tenor saxophonist Benny Nichols and trumpeter Dallas Crane, is the guitar of Bradley Bills, the piano of Jordan Kamalu, the drums of Jay Tibbits and all manner of percussion instrument. Kelly Eisenhour delivers beautiful lyrics and song to the albums only tune with vocals. Under the direction of Ray Smith, who also plays multiple reeds on the project, the band makes the music flow as gracefully as any large ensemble could possibly sound. From beginning to end, this fantastic recording is a remarkable achievement.