It is indeed a distinct pleasure for me to have the opportunity to contribute a few words in conjunction with such an auspicious event as the release of this album, The South Detroit Connection, announcing what I can only describe as the launch of a new star shining bright in the firmament of modern music - trumpeter extraordinaire Russ Macklem.

In this live session captured just as it went down, Russ and his fine group (possessing two other compelling solo voices in guitarist Sam Dickinson and saxophonist Kasan Belgrave, son of legendary trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, driven by the force that is the tight hookup between bassist Jonathon Muir-Cotton and drummer Adam Arruda) present a continuous program balanced between fiery proclamation and poised reflection. The music, all composed by Russ and presented in suite form, is finely wrought and beautiful. And the fantastic quality of this live recording really puts you right in the middle of the music! You, the listener, will feel like you are really there and present at a special, one-of-a-kind experience.
 
What Russ has accomplished in this performance on trumpet is completely astonishing - a tour de force of virtuoso playing and hyper-fluent, content-packed improvisational derring-do. He has stretched the boundaries of possibility on his instrument in the process of realizing his musical vision! I was lucky enough to work with Russ for three years as his mentor, colleague, and friend during the time of his doctoral study in Miami, and I can attest to the relentlessness, hard work and sacrifice he has gone through in order to grab that vision, name it, claim it and tame it. Now he has indeed aimed it - straight into the musical heavens.

As you listen to this album, only the first of many significant statements to come from this gifted young man, I hope you can feel the struggle and the triumph that was given voice in his music here. You might also feel a little of the pride that I have experienced in listening to what Russ Macklem has accomplished within these grooves.

Brian Lynch
Multiple Grammy® Award Winner
Professor, Frost School Of Music