The cover photo of trumpeter Troy Sawyer’s debut album—the artist at his doorstep, barefoot, grinning broadly and holding a sno-ball—perfectly sums up the feel of the album. It’s a disc that exudes equal parts local color and good spirits.

Like a lot of debut artists, Sawyer explores every style he possibly can, but has the skills as a writer and player to carry it off. The opening “Exodus” alone (not the movie theme or the Marley tune) segues from a heavy-sounding into to a street-party vibe complete with crowd sounds, throwing in some salsa piano for good measure. “Ride My Train” throws an exuberant rap over a Meters-style groove; “Butterfly” is vintage-sounding R&B complete with Earth Wind & Fire-style horn flourishes, and “Follow Me’ is a purely acoustic jazz track. His horn solos on these tracks are tastefully concise.

Sawyer features his band on the first half of the disc, saving a few surprising collaborations for the second. Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. turns up on the title song, a funk workout that’s kicked up a notch by his rubboard and voice. “No Soul for Sale” not only features the indelible guitar of Little Freddie King, but a chant borrowed from the late Mr. Okra. More surprisingly, “Freedom” includes the voice of Jerome Morgan, who served a 20-year sentence for a murder that he was found to have not committed. The music here is a nod to electric-era Miles, and an additional recitation by poet Sha’Condria “iCon” Sices-Sibley adds fuel to the fire. It’s the biggest stretch here but also the most effective track, suggesting one of many roads for Sawyer to pursue in the future.