“His tone sounds full-bodied, weighty, and expansive, something to sink into, a massage for the soul. Sencalar’s improvisations on these and the rest of the cuts are rich in detail, balancing in-the-moment discoveries and adherence to the demands of the material. ”

“On a whole, it is difficult not to be impressed by Altin Sencalar’s writing and playing.”

“Sencalar’s effervescent “In You Own Head.” His sparkling cascade of notes contrasts nicely with mellifluous chords from the leaders’ fellow alum guitarist Nathan Borton. Glassman wields his bass trombone with grace and elegance while Sencalar takes center stage with an inventive extemporization made up of muscular and fluid lines.”

“Sencalar’s three originals are finely sculpted, steeped in idiomatic knowledge. “In Your Own Head” is intricate and elegant in a bossa feel, with a shift to samba toward the end that represents the ceaseless rush of thoughts in a person’s mind. The tune also tries to capture “the second-guessing and insecurities that some might go through during periods of growth.” “What Was Good Is Good,” titled after a favorite saying by Jimmy Heath, is tight and swinging bebop based on “Confirmation,” with a reharmonized bridge and a surprising duo breakdown at the start of Glassman’s solo, following Sencalar’s two exemplary choruses. And “When Reality Sets In,” a relaxed bolero in acknowledgement of Sencalar’s Latin roots, finds the trombones in full legato glory. The shifting minor/major sonorities suggest “an opportunity to see hope through a trying time,”

“Introducing Altin Sencalar is the recording debut as a leader of an impressive young trombonist. Altin Sencalar. Based in Austin, Texas, Sencalar has already gained a wide variety of musical experiences and developed an original style on trombone. On this enjoyable CD, Sencalar plays trombone and occasionally euphonium, contributing seven originals and also playing fresh versions of two standards. His group is filled with up-and-coming players.”