Recorded before Adventure #2 (way back in December 2019), this set finds Alex Massa writing songs that reference his many stops before arriving back home in Rapid City, S.D. He enlists guitarist Dave Miller, bassist Anton Hatwich and drummer Isaiah Spencer to help him flesh out his ideas.

Alex Massa Plays Well With Others Adventure #3: Miller/Hatwich/Spencer (ears & eyes)

Not exactly a classic quartet, what with Massa's trumpet and Miller's guitar duelling for lead responsibilities, but that artistic competition and collaboration drives these songs. Massa's compositions shift in tone and style, evoking the locales of their titles (or the goofy joy of the first track, "Sex Hair").

Although this was recorded in a day, I can't imagine that these songs were recorded in single takes. On the other hand, the band works so well together that almost anything is possible. Indeed, that sentiment flows more and more freely as Massa shuffles through his photo album.

An absolute joy. Massa and friends have created an album that shines from start to finish. The variety of ideas and settings is remarkable, and the rapport of the players is palpably exciting. Massa proves you can go home again, but it's always a good idea to go somewhere else every once in a while.

Jon Worley