New York-based bassist and composer Aaron Immanuel Wright's dynamic debut recording features the lyrical piano work of Darrell Grant, along with his fellow Portlander on saxophone Tim Wilcox, and the Philadelphia-bred drummer Brian Menendez. Wright penned, or co-wrote all of the music, and arranged the standard "Laura." From the opening bass line of "Something Mainstream," it's clear Wright has ideas that quickly move beyond the mainstream as the band explores his compositions in a truly modern vein. The lush arco tones of Wright's bass, blend with Grant's sensitive piano work on the title track, and the searching melody of "Late Goodbye" has an inspired European jazz aesthetic. On "Eleven Daughters," Wright carries on the tradition of the great jazz bassists - Mingus, Holland, Gress, Formanek - who have a very natural knack of crafting superlative and nuanced ensemble recordings.