JUNO award winner 2014 – Traditional Jazz Album of the Year “Downes presents subtle, compelling pieces that develop concentrated, evocative moods….Downes’ emotionally direct, profoundly lyrical bass work comes to the fore…” Stuart Broomer, Whole Note Magazine “Downes, pianist Robi Botos and drummer Ethan Ardelli can be hard-hitting virtuosic monsters… that’s not to say that they lack finesse, or can’t play music that’s sweet or lyrical. Far from it…The trio’s whole is greater than the sum of its utterly in-sync players.” Peter Hum, Ottawa Citizen “Ripple Effect is a great showcase number with Quinlan’s lead guitar, Botos’ excellent comping and soloing, Ardelli’s spry drumming and Downes’ tasteful soloing.” Winnipeg Free Press “Amidst the plethora of bassists that dot the global landscape, Mike Downes is an emerging force… The technique and interplay between Downes and pianist Robi Botos is remarkable… Ripple Effect is a beautifully layered textural conversation with a trio performing as one harmonic train of thought.” Brent Black, criticaljazz.com Ripple Effect, released in 2013 on Addo Records, features three of Canada’s top jazz musicians (Mike Downes – bass, Robi Botos – piano and Ethan Ardelli – drums) with a guest appearance from guitarist Ted Quinlan on the title track. The music is contemporary with a great respect for the jazz tradition. The recording features lyrical original compositions from Downes, along with a Macedonian folk song and a compelling arrangement of the great jazz standard “I Hear a Rhapsody.”