Pianist/Composer Jamie Finlay dropped his first single back in 2005. It feels a bit wrong that we have waited so long for an album. “Sun Dogs” is his full length debut on Wah Wah 45s. Finlay has assembled an array of extraordinary musicians to lift his compositions to another level. Multi-instrumentalist Caitlin LM combines her blissful vocals and baritone sax to “Staring At The Sun”. Vocalist Ellen Beth Abdi is featured throughout this set. “Rain Will Come” is a spiritual jazz number where her vocals will stimulate your eardrums. “Destroy Create (Part 2)” is another highlight. The cosmic track features Abdi once again along with the vocals of Kemani Anderson. Finlay’s bass guitar rhythms are at the heart of the track. Trumpeter Bryan Corbett’s soloing along with MAtt Steele’s glorious rhodes provides a welcoming boost. “Parhellon” is a thematic tune that draws inspiration from Detroit techno. It all adds up to a marvelous album that will catapult it’s way into your rotation. My hope is that the wait isn’t so long for the next album.
https://jamiefinlay.bandcamp.com/album/sun-dogs
