Brilliant Corners features layer upon layer of resplendent colors and cutting edge creativity. Their compact disc, Two Roads, is a refreshing amalgam of humor, melodic excursions, brash new inventions and simmering ballad artistry. Comprised by saxophonist Paul DeMarinis, guitarist Dave Black, bassist Dan Eubanks and drummer Kevin Gianino, the quartet daringly showcases its talents by performing all original compositions.

Soprano and tenor saxophonist Paul DeMarinis' compositional skills are displayed on Struttin' With Some Barbequed Tofu, Interloper and Sidesteppin'. Struttin' is an upbeat comic intro to the disc. Beginning with the bright, clear DeMarinis soprano and continued by Black's wa-wa guitar, the mood is happy throughout. Gianino's march meter and Eubanks' dancing electric bass ably underpin this festive feature.

On Interloper, DeMarinis continues his spicy soprano lead with precision and brilliance. More electronic edification by Black and Gianino's lively trap work ride Eubanks' hefty gait on bass flavoring this sparkling selection.

Black's creative acumen is apparent on his three originals - On The River, Gray Clouds and Still The Same - the longest track on the disc. All reflect his gift for lyrical ascension.

On DeMarinis' third and final offering, Sidesteppin', he switches to tenor sax as Black and Eubanks return to their electronic devices. This is another fun piece with Gianino's licks and cymbal clashes solidifying this up-tempo romp.

Black's Gray Clouds opens with more of his acoustic artistry, as he and DeMarinis engage in a dialogue - DeMarinis again on soprano - in and around Black's masterful machinations. Gianino's shimmering cymbals highlight the pensive, straightforward line that evokes a range of emotions, and the talented Eubanks closes with a few soft strokes of the upright.    

Dan Eubanks' Waking Up Is Hard To Do finds DeMarinis again leading with his soulful, resourceful soprano. Black shares more colors of his stringed spectrum and, finally, we hear glimpses of the Eubanks acoustic virtuosity.

Dave Black's Still The Same is a playground for DeMarinis' tenor. Black fills his space imaginatively, then softly underscores the saxophone. Eubanks comments with brief but certain impact and Gianino's solid brush and cymbal work seals the package.

The finale and title track begins with some sonorous strumming by its composer on acoustic bass. Again the bright, uplifting DeMarinis soprano excels during the spirited interplay. As the mood descends on the wings of Black's definitive discourse, Gianino adroitly adapts to each mood swing and Eubanks switches to the electric bass with a skillfully sweet segue.

While retaining the true spirit and tradition of the genre, the guys happily venture down roads of musical discovery - providing aural rewards better heard and imbibed than analyzed.    - Roscoe Crenshaw