Subtitled "A Tribute to Raymond Scott," this album presents a smorgasbord of compositions that are, as the liner notes suggest, "genetically encoded into the world's subconscious." But you've never heard of Raymond Scott? Perhaps that's because themes such as "The Toy Trumpet" and "Powerhouse" are most commonly associated with cartoons. From Bugs Bunny to Ren and Stimpy, Scott tunes are frenetic clarinet-driven tornadoes that have made great soundtracks for animated mayhem. Of course, in the end, Scott's compositions amount to much more than cartoon accompaniment, as this magnificent recording testifies.

Harold Check