ALBUM REVIEW

Technocats - Passionata: The Music of Gregg Hill

Label: Cold Plunge Records

Released: August 28, 2026

DR: TBD

The Technocats are a soulful, Michigan-based jazz collective built around a pretty cool mission: bringing the original music of composer Gregg Hill to life. Born out of the tight-knit scene surrounding the Michigan State University Jazz Studies program, the group is all about bridging generations, mixing seasoned jazz veterans with some of the most exciting young players on the contemporary scene. The band actually took its name from a Gregg Hill tune that captured the high-energy vibe of late-night jam sessions, and that same spontaneous, collaborative spirit drives everything they do. They lean heavily into a classic, straight-ahead jazz sound, but they keep things fresh with sharp, modern arrangements that feel like a nod to the past while pushing firmly into the future. Co-led by bass trombonist Chris Glassman and guitarist Nathan Borton, the band operates as a true co-op. Instead of handing things off to outside arrangers, the musicians themselves take Hill's raw lead sheets and tailor them to highlight the specific voices in the room. Through their studio records on Cold Plunge Records—like their self-titled debut and their follow-up album, Passionata—the Technocats have built a reputation for tight groove and sophisticated chemistry, often jamming alongside great guests like saxophonist Walter Blanding, trumpeter Skylar Tang, and drummer Keith Hall.

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Opening with Normality, Walter Blanding on sax and Skylar Tang on trumpet play a fanfare with Keith Hall on drums. The track builds slowly with Javier Enrique on bass, then Bryn Roberts on piano. A loose bop track with a tight melody showcases Blanding on soprano sax, seemingly floating on the rhythm of Hall and Roberts. Excellent opener. Driving, Traffic Jam really rolls, with interwoven solos by Nathan Borton on guitar, Chris Glassman on bass trombone, Tang on trumpet and Hall on bass, all driven by bassist Javier Enrique. Tang cuts loose with a really adventurous solo punctuated by Hall and Roberts who also really rolls. A strong trombone solo by Glassman will have you back on your heels bopping as this track shows no weakness.

Funky, Horse Feathers, is brass led with a prominent bass line by Enrique and his pairing with Borton on guitar is magical. Round solos by Tang, Blanding and Glassman really give it that New Orleans feel but keeping it contemporary. Very cool. Technocrats has a lighter but still a strong rhythmic feel. Glassman with muted trombone takes a strong lead coaxed along by Roberts and Hall. Borton drops back with a nicely phrased solo of his own with Hall and Roberts holding the rhythm firm. Enrique steps up with another essential solo of his own before tying it all up with a bow.

Title track, Passionata has a cool, Latin overlay with a larger band feel. Glassman steps up hard with a strong bass trombone lead with mostly only Roberts and Hall in support. This gives his playing plenty of room to breathe and Borton again rejoins with fleet fingered soloing of his own, handing off to fluid lead lines by Blanding on tenor sax. Wrapping the release is Double Play with it's swinging bottom. Borton goes first laying in a really nice solo followed by Glassman, Tang, Blanding on tenor and Roberts on piano. This is a tight release with plenty of great instrumental work. Check it out.

📋 Album Credits & Production Info Toggle Display

Album Title Passionata: The Music of Gregg Hill
Artist Technocats
Record Label Cold Plunge Records
Release Date August 28, 2026
Personnel Chris Glassman (Bass Trombone), Walter Blanding (Tenor & Soprano Saxophone), Skylar Tang (Trumpet), Nathan Borton (Guitar), Bryn Roberts (Piano), Javier Enrique (Bass), Keith Hall (Drums)
Studio Production Composed by Gregg Hill; Arranged by Chris Glassman, Nathan Borton, Javier Enrique, and Michael Reed; Produced by Gregg Hill & Chris Glassman; Recorded and mixed by Eric Sills at Stone Soup Recording Studios.

🎼 Track Listing & Personnel Toggle Display

Featured Personnel & Masters: Chris Glassman, Walter Blanding, Skylar Tang, Nathan Borton, Bryn Roberts, Javier Enrique, and Keith Hall performing the music of Gregg Hill.

Normality
Traffic Jam
Not Van Morrison
Horse Feathers
Dancing Light
Technocats
The Race is On
Passionata
Nostalgia
Double Play (Bonus Track)

📺 Session Video Performance Toggle Display

Watch: Technocats perform live sessions from Passionata

🎵 Discography & Purchase Options Toggle Display

Album Title	Record Label	Accreditation	Year
Passionata	Cold Plunge Records	The Music of Gregg Hill ft. Chris Glassman	2026
Technocats	Cold Plunge Records	Ensemble Debut Studio Album	2023

My take

This groove-driven project blends straight-ahead swing with subtle Latin vibes, letting a tight rhythm section back up a relaxed series of horn, guitar, and piano solos that keep things moving from start to finish.

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