communities.canada.com by ROGER MITCHELL

3.5 stars

FOR his third recording as leader, New York-based saxophonist/composer Manricks has a fresh ensemble for these nine originals — three revisited from the album Labyrinth — and a cover of Eric Dolphy‘s Miss Ann.

Manricks treats Dolphy’s piece deftly and much more mildly. His beautifully expressive sax on the newer Labyrinth has a warmer, engaging tone that infuses the whole album.

Alan Ferber‘s trombone and Scott Wendholt‘s trumpet are used with restraint to enhance Cluster Funk and the pensive Nucleus.

Playing with dextrous liquidity that seems effortless, Manricks is well attuned to his rhythm section of Gary Versace, Joe Martin and Obed Calvaire in what is an intricate, engaging and accomplished outing.