"The combination of leader Ric Harris’s guitar with the vibes of Micah Rutschman creates a nice sound for conveying Harris’s attractive originals accompanied by classics from Billy Strayhorn, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter.... Harris’s own charts tend to be appealingly straight-forward and melodic, whether Latins, waltzes, ballads, or swingers, and offer overall a very pleasant listening experience."
--- David Franklin, www.cadencejazzmagazine.com
"... this debut is impressive and significant on many fronts. Choices is a musical triumph owing to the selection of material, the collection of first-rate players and the fine musicianship demonstrated by all. Choices is a testament to the successful choices Harris has made and affirms that he is certainly back for good."
--- Edward Blanco, allaboutjazz.com
"... cuts like the closer, `Footprints'… my favorite piece on the CD; though Ric’s original composition `Across The Divide' came in a close second, mainly because of his energetic guitar mastery on it! This is a high-energy, high-talent group that surely merits my MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98."
--- Dick Metcalf, www.rotcodzzaj.com
"Ask any ten artists or bands what the intent of their last record was and I can promise you a variation on the same answer simply stated ten different ways. The Harris Group makes no bones about their intention with Choices, a visceral and cerebral assault on the senses. Normally an artist can hit one with specific intent but to nail both and be able to do it with such incredible ease is simply a gift."
--- Brent Black, www.criticaljazz.com
"With `Choices', The Harris Group, as the quartet is known, exhibits strong camaraderie in creating engaging and stimulating music that, albeit not ground breaking, will no doubt stand the test of time."
--- Hyrar Attarian, www.chicagojazz.com
"Influenced by the jazz tradition that has taken root since 1960, echoes of Joe Beck, Weather Report's acoustic side and more things that any middle aged jazzbo would consider too new to be called ‘classic', this guitar man wears his travels well knowing how to please an audience that is looking meat and blood rather than fleeting hits."
--- Chris Spector, www.midwestrecord.com
"This was an album I found myself going back to just to play a few songs over, but also liking how well they sound and play together, especially the album closer, `Footprints', as if they’re saying 'we have left some footprints behind, we hope you will follow us.' Strong album from start to finish, I hope this lineup will continue for awhile and if not, I hope to be able to explore their music individually or in whatever setting."
--- John Book, www.thisisbooksmusic.com
"Harris’ technique isn’t flashy, but his strengths lie in locating the goodness of a melody and enunciating it fully when he’s improvising. Citing the Joe Beck as a major influence, I can also find traces of Steve Khan in his vocabulary and tone. Rutschman is more of a pure improviser and he fulfills that role plenty good enough on his own."
--- S. Victor Aaron, www.somethingelsereviews.com
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