This is a regular gigging group of Mingus Big Band members. The deal came about when Blake called producer Gerry Teekens from a plane en route to Europe, saying ‘will you record us?’ This is now their third CD. The first was OK, the second pretty good. But this one is a major (as the title says) progression. (And, my spies tell me, the live gigs are even better). As we have often said recently, the horn team of Blake and Sipiagin is fast becoming one of the most empathetic and productive on the whole New York post-bop scene. And Kikoski is a law unto himself. His solos almost literally fly. Koslov, the Mingus Band's MD, is an increasingly mature tower of strength, while Edwards is deservedly drummer-of-choice on so many record dates, playing with stylishness, subtlety and swing in a very modern way. Progression is also of interest in that, while previous products featured mainly originals by the hornmen, this one has three by Edwards (all previously heard on his own self-produced CD) and two by Koslov. These musicians tend to write in so many mixed meters that, in different hands, might sound pretentious. But they are such accomplished players that however subtle those time changes are, they sail over them with such aplomb and confidence you might not even notice what's going on underneath. Koslov's ‘Inner Balance’ is a prime example. On a sometimes dreamy-mooded album, my particular favourite is Blake's up-tempo 3/4 tune, the 10-minute ‘Fear of Rooming’. But every track is excellent. Recommended.