While the name Throttle Elevator Music suggests a group, the marketing doesn't leave the star status of one of its members on the ground floor. Kamasi Washington's name is highlighted by a bold ‘Featuring’ sticker on the front sleeve that leads one to believe that this music, which was recorded in 2011, is now seen through the prism of his worldwide success in 2015. Be that as it may, the result is sadly uneven. While the twin horn frontline and guitar-dominated rhythm section produce an ensemble voice that is not displeasing for its well judged aggression at times, the composing is very lacklustre for the most part. Both melodically and rhythmically there is not enough imagination brought to the table, and the band settles into, rather than stretches, a flat, dry, rock-edged template lacking suppleness and syncopation. Washington's solos do have the verve that defined him so favourably on The Epic, but his strength of character can't mask the overwhelming blandness of the given material. Though this is an informative chapter in the saxophonist's backstory it provides a snapshot of a group in which quality control was not exercised with necessary rigour. That isn't made clear on the CD sleeve though.