Local jazz cats debut first album

bet if you started your album with a sweet and punchy horn break and then took off into 10 tracks of jazz with soul and an attitude it would be good too. Learn from some local masters in the Barber Brothers Jazz Quintet -- Rahsaan Barber on sax, Roland Barber on trombone, Jeff Hiatt on bass, Charleston "Deno" Sanders on drums and Washington D.C. pianist Allyn Johnson.\nRecorded over two days at a studio this summer, the quintet's first album, Twinnovation, pulls out all the stops afforded to cats learning from Bloomington's rich jazz community. And they do it while both swinging and serenading. \nAll of the tunes are original instrumental compositions by the twins, who are in their last year of study in the IU jazz program. They and Sanders are in David Baker's band, while they and Hiatt play with various local artists. \nBased on memories and mentor appreciation, the compositions start out strong and don't let up. "Song for Stanley T." lays ground for the brother led band, the intro featuring a strong rhythm section and horns that steal the show. Rahsaan absolutely wails on his sax while Roland keeps it cool.\nNext up is "Sunrise on Patoka Lake" with a Latin feel dominated in a good way by Sanders' tight taps on the woodblock and the base sounds carried by Johnson. Hiatt adds a plucky solo while the Barbers carry the melody. Incidentally, the Barbers also display their Latin influences in local group Alma Azul. \n"Julianna" paints a loving picture with smooth as satin horn melodies and piano delicacy in the background. The round tones and slow pacing of "Healing" carry the music to you gently and make it the perfect song to appreciate in a quite room. \nOverall, the strong composing of the Barbers and the carry-through of the instrumentalists makes Twinnovation do what music is supposed to -- communicate feelings and thoughts better than words.\n Twinnovation is available at T.I.S Music and at www.echomu-\nsic.com/thebarberbrothers.\nRating: 8