A jazz highlight of the year for this listener who hopes that not too much time will pass before Rae and Wilcock’s next such release...
—London Jazz Times
Award winning composers and musicians John Rae and Ben Wilcock have produced a stunning fourteen song collaboration of unique original material. Joined by the celebrated New Zealand bassist Patrick Bleakley, the album has been described as—beguiling—(PBS, The Modernist).
Featuring guest artists Scottish guitarist Kevin Murray the Tunesmith, former Black Seeds Irish based saxophonist Jabin Ward and multi instrumentalist Daniel Yeabsley, this is jazz for the 21st Century. Ebbing and flowing between chaos and beauty this album will take the listener to places they never expected. A truly unique take on contemporary jazz.
Recorded over two years, with contributions from Scotland, Ireland and different parts of New Zealand, Splendid Isolation takes traditional acoustic forms and bends them in a way only these two highly original composers could.
The album begins with three of Rae's compositions: “Apple Road", the title is an homage to Ronnie Rae (John's father and well known Scottish bassist), the more contemporary “From Here to There", and a sonic trip for the listener “Say it with a Smile".
“Tak a minute", also one of Rae's compositions, is based on the Indian rhythmic syllabic method of Konnakol.
Wilcock's “The Expanse" is an emotive ballad depicting the vastness of space.
Rae's “Try Tone" features an elegant verse up front from bassist Patrick Bleakley—someday there'll be no more trouble—
The title track takes the listener on a journey from a traditional jazz quartet setting into something totally unexpected, a theme throughout the album.
Wilcock's “Archie's Rumble" and Rae's “Yes" are the two up tempo tracks on the album, which are followed by the bluesy “Position Normal" and “Always Alone Together".
On “Esperar" the listener is treated to kiwi saxophonist Jabin Ward's emotive creativity, a track which also features well known Scottish guitarist Kevin Murray.
The album concludes with “Brainiac", again featuring Wilcock and Murray. This up tempo highly energetic waltz concludes the album before Rae poses the question—"Daddy, what did you do in the war?"
Featuring guest artists Scottish guitarist Kevin Murray the Tunesmith, former Black Seeds Irish based saxophonist Jabin Ward and multi instrumentalist Daniel Yeabsley, this is jazz for the 21st Century. Ebbing and flowing between chaos and beauty this album will take the listener to places they never expected. A truly unique take on contemporary jazz.
Recorded over two years, with contributions from Scotland, Ireland and different parts of New Zealand, Splendid Isolation takes traditional acoustic forms and bends them in a way only these two highly original composers could.
The album begins with three of Rae's compositions: “Apple Road", the title is an homage to Ronnie Rae (John's father and well known Scottish bassist), the more contemporary “From Here to There", and a sonic trip for the listener “Say it with a Smile".
“Tak a minute", also one of Rae's compositions, is based on the Indian rhythmic syllabic method of Konnakol.
Wilcock's “The Expanse" is an emotive ballad depicting the vastness of space.
Rae's “Try Tone" features an elegant verse up front from bassist Patrick Bleakley—someday there'll be no more trouble—
The title track takes the listener on a journey from a traditional jazz quartet setting into something totally unexpected, a theme throughout the album.
Wilcock's “Archie's Rumble" and Rae's “Yes" are the two up tempo tracks on the album, which are followed by the bluesy “Position Normal" and “Always Alone Together".
On “Esperar" the listener is treated to kiwi saxophonist Jabin Ward's emotive creativity, a track which also features well known Scottish guitarist Kevin Murray.
The album concludes with “Brainiac", again featuring Wilcock and Murray. This up tempo highly energetic waltz concludes the album before Rae poses the question—"Daddy, what did you do in the war?"
