“I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU.” Lester...

“I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU.” Lester Bowie’s Brass Fantasy. ECM 25034-1. Count on Bowie to demonstrate once again that serious modern music can be fun. On this first outing by his Brass Fantasy band (eight horns plus drummer Philip Wilson), the emphasis falls on exploring the textural properties and tonal colors of the all-brass format, with the flaring trumpets and whooping trombones near the end of “Lament” and the ominous, low-pitched opening to “Nonet” the most noteworthy. The material ranges through reggae (“Coming Back, Jamaica”), gospel/blues (“When the Spirit Returns”) and a pop standard (the title track) as Bowie’s arsenal of clean tones, controlled gurgles and other trumpet sound effects peek out of the ensemble passages at the most oblique possible angles. 4 1/2 stars.