Forces is Mike’s first recording as a leader, featuring four of Canada’s stellar jazz musicians. The CD highlights Mike’s compositional and arranging talents as well as the many reasons he has become one of Canada’s most in-demand bassists. Standout tracks include his stunning arrangement of Alone Together, a virtuosic and lovely solo bass version

Forces is Mike’s first recording as a leader, featuring four of Canada’s stellar jazz musicians. The CD highlights Mike’s compositional and arranging talents as well as the many reasons he has become one of Canada’s most in-demand bassists. Standout tracks include his stunning arrangement of Alone Together, a virtuosic and lovely solo bass version of When I Fall in Love and the quirky and energetic opening track No Me Lo Diga. Phil Dwyer - saxophones, Dave Restivo - piano, Mike Downes - bass and Ted Warren- drums.

“Bassist Mike Downes is one of Canada’s immensely talented young giants. Forces is a welcome addition to the ever-growing catalogue of superb jazz originating from Canada.” The Jazz Report “The first time I heard this CD it hit me just right: repeated listenings bore out its inherent musicality. Mike’s time playing is delightfully inventive and his intonation is absolutely impeccable. This is especially evident on all of his solos, where his lines are clear, hip and agile. His technique and intonation are extraordinary on When I Fall In Love. Kim Richmond for Jazz Player “Toronto bassist Mike Downes achieves a smart balance between style and substance on this, his first CD as a leader. The quartet slides through Downes’s five originals, as well as four standards, like the proverbial knife through butter.” Mark Miller, the Globe and Mail. “Mike Downes is as strong a player as he is a composer. He grabs attention in the opening bars of his first track with a driving samba, No Me Lo Diga.”