On 2009’s A Single Sky, Dave Douglas teams up with veteran arranger Jim McNeely and the Frankfurt Radio Big Band. Three of the album’s pieces—“The Presidents,” “Campaign Trail,” and “Blockbuster”—are sections from Douglas’s “Delighted States,” a nine-movement suite for big band that was inspired by the 2008 presidential campaign. “The Presidents” has a stately air; “Campaign Trail” possesses an unhurried, bluesy quality; and “Blockbuster” features wild horn writing and solos from Douglas and tenor saxophonist Tony Lakatos. A Single Sky’s other four tracks are McNeely arrangements of previously recorded Douglas compositions. The slow, lush, and mysterious “Bury Me Standing” has a fine trombone statement by Christian Jaksjo, and the title cut swings throughout. “Tree and Shrub” nicely contrasts lead trumpet lines with muted brass and other soundings, while the low-key “Persistence of Memory” finds trombonist Peter Feil and Douglas soloing over McNeely’s masterly handiwork.