Max Creek has been making terrific music since 1971, which makes them an essential element in the history and evolution of jam bands. Though they’re by no means a Dead cover band, they do share at least two things with the Dead, one philosophical and the other musical: a conscious desire that the band be a haven for nonconformists and a home for dreams, and musically a willingness to stretch out – and then further out. And that’s one of the things on brilliant display here. They’re also excellent song writers. So in addition to great covers of Dylan’s “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight,” the standard “Got My Mojo Working,” J.J. Cale’s immortal “After Midnight,” and Lead Belly/Creedence’s “Midnight Special,” you’re going to hear some very exceptional originals. Personally, I’m particularly enamored by Scott Murawski’s “Emerald Eyes” and “Willow Tree,” John Rider’s “Peaceful Warrior,” and Jay Stanley’s “Into the Ocean” among others, but I’ll let you decide which ones you love.