2018 JUNO AWARD WINNER for Jazz Album of the Year: Solo Featuring four of Canada’s top jazz musicians – Mike Downes (JUNO award winner 2014), Robi Botos (JUNO award winner 2016), Ted Quinlan (JUNO nomination 2003) and Larnell Lewis (Grammy award winner with Snarky Puppy 2017), “Root Structure” explores lyrical compositions with a deep underlying

2018 JUNO AWARD WINNER for Jazz Album of the Year: Solo Featuring four of Canada’s top jazz musicians – Mike Downes (JUNO award winner 2014), Robi Botos (JUNO award winner 2016), Ted Quinlan (JUNO nomination 2003) and Larnell Lewis (Grammy award winner with Snarky Puppy 2017), “Root Structure” explores lyrical compositions with a deep underlying structural integrity. "5/5 - This album is as close to perfect as it is possible to get and fully warrants its rating here. Buy it!" Alan Musson, UK Vibe (read the full review) “One of the most intriguing and innovative small group jazz recordings of the year” Lesley Mitchell-Clarke, theWholeNote  (read the full review) “Simply beautifully-written repertoire. Downes’ traversal of the ten songs is spellbinding…” Raul da Gama, Toronto Music Report (read the full review)  “The new album is amazingly good, the music well composed, the redemption completely eminent and the whole thing so absolutely listenable… compositions and improvisations flow naturally, organically, and it makes the experience special.”  Ivan Rod, Danish jazz critic (read the full review)  “Mike has produced a beautiful new record that shows the great playing of these heavyweights but also Mike's tremendous compositions.” JAZZ.FM91 First Listen (read the full review)  “Root Structure is, as stated, a world class recording from beginning to end… the album presents ten wide-ranging compositions primarily written by Downes and executed with exceptional musicality by the quartet” Textura (read the full review)  “The music soars with melody and lush solos along with powerful rhythmic foundation… Jazz versions of classical tunes are common, but this group’s interpretation of a Chopin’s Prelude shows how such a crossover should be done…” Keith Black, The Winnipeg Free Press (read the full review)  “Mike Downes' "Root Structure" has everything a jazz lover looks for in a record: outstanding compositions, tight ensemble play and dynamic soloing. "Root Structure" demands repeated listens with constant rewards.” Ron Steeds, CKCU-FM  “A super tasty quartet date that's sure to bring him another Juno, this bass ace is incapable of letting you down. By all means, put this winner on your list.” Midwest Record (read the full review) “They swing or they quietly reflect, they expand tunes or play with tightness and precision...The title tune is also funky and catchy..." KUCI.org 88.9 FM (read the full review)
 "His pulse on the strings is thick and palpable..." George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly (read the full review)
 "A team that has everything covered. Together, they carry out Downes' mission of foundational exploration while shedding light on his compositional gifts." Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz (read the full review)
 “Throughout, the music’s executed with tremendous clarity and intention. In other words, as proficient as they are, Quinlan, Downes, Botos and Lewis put musicality first.” Peter Hum, Ottawa Citizen