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Wide Angles is a 70-minute suite spotlighting Michael Brecker's electrifying tenor saxophone accompanied by a 15-piece chamber jazz group. Each of the 10 compositions (all by Brecker except one cowritten with George Whitty and one by Don Grolnick) serves as an extended showcase for Brecker's tenor in its various manifestations-at times driving and fiery, at times poignant and gentle, always emotion-charged and technically prodigious.

For this set, the two young trombonists Wycliffe Gordon and Ron Westray provide plenty of fireworks both in their individual solos (which are consistently colorful) and in the ensembles. Teamed up with pianist Marcus Roberts, bassist Reginald Veal and drummer Herlin Riley, Gordon and Westray perform 11 originals that they wrote or co-wrote. The music sometimes looks toward the swing tradition but also has some post bop and fairly free selections. The extroverted personalities (and occasional humor) of the co-leaders make this often-rambunctious set of strong interest.