The Drovers Unlimited Orchestra - The Drovers Unlimited Orchestra, Vol. 3 (2025) [Hi-Res]

Alternating from expressive frolicking to dreamy entrancement across its dynamic sound, The Drovers Unlimited Orchestra, Vol. 3 is a fantastic listening experience from start to finish. The album represents the final, posthumous release from noted Chicago-based musician, composer, and producer Mike Kirkpatrick and his project, The Drovers Unlimited Orchestra. His wonderful knack for tonal variety is fully apparent throughout, ranging from the jazzy vibrancy of “Tomorrow, Pt. 1” to the celebratory-feeling “Johnny Was A Meter Mechanic,” a stellar example of Kirkpatrick strong traditional Irish music inspirations.

A number of talented musicians perform Kirkpatrick’s compositions with a spirited, high level of musicianship. Kevin Burke’s fiddle work is amongst the highlights, lovably embodying an Irish heart and soul apparent on several songs within. Saxophonist Dave Liebman, percussionist Billy Hart, and jazz trumpeter Eddie Henderson are amongst the other performers that make The Drovers Unlimited Orchestra, Vol. 3 a special output.

Opening the album, “The Hidden Track” embraces the lusher realms initially — then expanding quickly into brisk percussive pit-pattering and radiant Irish-inspired instrumentation. “Girl U Know My Love Is For Real” embraces dreaminess in its entirety, melding smooth brass and a grooving bass line for an intoxicating, late-night intrigue. “Teardrop Falls” is another soothing, saxophone-led gem. The more tonally understated tracks on The Drovers Unlimited Orchestra, Vol. 3 achieve a strongly memorable flair in their gently unfolding song structures.

Also enamoring, the vibrant “Moon Fever” crafts a throwback enthrallment in its snappy brass movements and instrumental incorporations — namely African percussion, bodhrans, and a flute choir. A spine-chilling send-off, “The Root, The Branch, And the Bright Morning Star” finds lovely middle ground between dexterous jazz passion and warming blissfulness, concluding this masterful album with an especially consuming production.