The Quest is the second album of original material by trumpet and flugelhorn master, Keith Fiala, and his second album in 2024! His first one, New Beginnings, blew me away and The Quest is quite possibly even better! Like the first album, the twelve tracks are varied enough that they don't fit neatly into one specific genre (I love that!!). Except for a few tracks with guest artists, Keith plays trumpet and flugelhorn as well as all programming, so this is mostly a very impressive solo album! A continuation of works that Keith composed over the past four years, The Quest takes the listener along on his musical journey to find peace, harmony and a balance in a time when nothing felt right. It's a soulful and heartfelt experience that I plan to revisit many times long after this review is finished!

The Quest begins with "Always With Me," the first of three pieces inspired by Keith's mother, who passed away three years ago. Warm and gently rhythmic with just a touch of melancholy, the piece also features Roland Perez on EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument). The title track was inspired by the way music can make a movie scene come alive. Bright and colorful with a crisp rhythm and a number of instrumental sounds and voices, it would very easily fit into a movie soundtrack itself! "The Dream" is much more ethereal with an easy flow and a relaxed "floating" feeling. "Behind Your Eyes" beautifully expresses how we sometimes try to hide our real feelings with a smile while our eyes tell the truth. Warm and comforting, it could be a romantic slow dance! "Spirituale Regnum" is really different! It begins with what could be a short Gregorian Chant that reappears in several parts of the piece. The strong bass guitar and lively percussion behind the horns give it kind of a "prog rock" feeling, but this one is in a genre all its own! Roland Perez plays EWI on this one, too. "Trapped In a Dream" expresses the frustration Keith was feeling with the music industry and our very challenging world. Dark with a driving beat and a fascinating variety of sounds, it's another amazing track! "Midnight Rain" is a very soulful collaboration that features Sean O'Bryan Smith on bass, Billy Denk on guitar and Roland Perez on EWI along with the horns and programming. Dark and moody yet very peaceful, it's another favorite. "Acquiescence," something of a companion piece to "Trapped In a Dream," is slow, open and from the heart - a reluctant acceptance of a difficult reality. "Remembrance" is the second piece Keith composed with his mom in mind. Deeply reflective, it's a powerful expression of sadness and loss as well as love - beautifully done! "Song For My Mom" is obviously the third track for Keith's mother. A slow jazz piece with piano, percussion and bass in addition to the horns, it is both melancholy and a bit nostalgic. "Uncle Bob's Campfire Stories" recalls more innocent times when Keith and his Uncle Bob took extended motorcycle trips around the US, camping out and enjoying life. The muted trumpet and other instrumental sounds express a longing for those adventures as well as happy memories. The Quest comes to a very pleasant close with "On My Way Home," "written as a testament to my moving from one place to another and going home to familiarity, friends, and searching for the balance once again."

Many thanks to Keith Fiala for taking us on this journey with him! I enjoyed every moment! The Quest is available from Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes as well as on mainly streaming platforms including Pandora and Spotify. I give it a very enthusiastic both thumbs up!