Last year's MOPDTK album release Blue, a curious note-fornote transcription of Miles' Kind of Blue, had critics and punters furiously scratching their heads. It was the kind of recording that can raise an interesting philosophical discussion on how these ‘classics’ have a power over jazz musicians today that arguably doesn't reflect their resonance with the times. But does that mean we have to listen to it too? When Downbeat Rising Star leader-composer and bassist Moppa Elliott is not affectionately spoofing album covers from the likes of Ornette Coleman and Art Blakey, he's titling his albums after Pennsylvanian towns as he does here on their eighth album to date. The quartet welcomes a new addition in the pianist Ron Stabinsky. On Mauch Chunk they step up a few gears returning to their own inimitable, raucous version of hard bop and mixing it up with elements of free jazz and latin. Founder member saxophonist Jon Irabagon's raw-toned, intoxicating sound resembles Jackie McLean and while that can only be a good thing, there's also a whiney noise to his tone that grates. Elliot dedicates his compositions to an odd array of figures from Henry Threadgill and Dave Holland through to Frank Fonseca and there are quotes a plenty spat out by Irabagon's sax, from old classics along the way. MOPDTK are here to shake things up a bit, but this is a mixed bag.