Some Circles, the first suite in bassist/composer Bill Noertker’s Blue Rider series, takes us on a musical journey into abstraction, reflection, and enchantment. The Blue Rider group of painters (Kandinsky, Marc, Klee) is Noertker’s inspiration here. From the prismatic playfulness of “Birds” to the rollicking earthiness of “Gate of the Abandoned Garden,” from the wistful musings of “Little Joys” to the austere beauty of “Three Subjects, Polyphony,” from the playful drum/bass dialogue of “Mandrill” to the reflective mysticism of “Calm Tension,” the musicians of Noertker’s Moxie use their rich sonic palette, and their moxie, to create a diverse and vibrant array of aural paintings.