The Distance

“The Distance” is an attractive opener, but it’s Formanek’s ambitious big-band *Exoskeleton* suite that dominates here, stuffing an introduction and eight \"parts\" into five tracks. In the prelude, Formanek’s bass is paired with wind-instrument harmony; intensity builds as piano, percussion, and guitar join. When the 18-piece group launches into “Part I - Impenetrable,” Formanek emerges as a gifted large-ensemble jazz composer, capable of orchestrating intensity and pensive cool. His band is formidable, featuring solos from players like guitarist Mary Halvorson (“Part V - Without Regrets”) and pianist Kris Davis (“Part VII - A Reptile Dysfunction”).