Less elaborate conceptually and musically than many of his better-known recordings, Paul Winter"s Sun Singer is an airy, jazz-seasoned ensemble work suited more for daydreaming than deep thinking. While not what most people would describe as lighthearted, benign winds are clearly flowing through Winter"s soprano sax on this vinyl-era (1983), 35-minute disc, evoking relaxed moods of elevated appreciation for the gifts that nature grants us. Intelligently crafted and performed, Winter and two colleagues (Glen Velez on percussion, Paul Halley on piano, plus occasional organ and harpsichord) take their thematic cue for this project from a bronze statue by Sweden"s Carl Milles, one that captures a man with his head tossed back in song. The trio exudes a corresponding ardor for life"s subtler pleasures, resulting in moods of well-reasoned joy as heard in the dynamic "Dancing Particles," the searching "Big Ben"s Bolero," and the clear-eyed reflection of "Dolphin Morning." Lovely chamber-jazz. --Terry Wood