Release day today for Michael Bates’ Clockwise, a wonderful new recording.

Here’s a nice Troy Collins write-up from All About Jazz. The money quote:

The premier of a distinctive new voice… Driven by the same communal DIY aesthetic that informed his punk rock roots, Bates’ writing employs the angular melodic ingenuity of his peers with an abiding interest in the emotional drama and harmonic complexity of the Russian school of classical composition.

And, I’d add, a lot of heart.

On Saturday, September 13th Michael and his group will celebrating the release with a 9pm show at Cornelia Street Cafe. I’ll probably go there after the FONT Benefit Party.