Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Ben Britton's Unconventional Riot: Children At Play
Ben Britton's Unconventional Riot: Children At Play
ByBritton's 2010 debut album with his trumpet playing brother John, as The The Britton Brothers on their self-produced Uncertain Living, was a fine album that established the brothers' musical and compositional chops with an array of tunes whose influences stretched from be-bop through to hip-hop. Children At Play doesn't display quite as wide a range of influences, but there is plenty of variation across its 25 minutes.
The title track is the most relaxed of the saxophonist's three tunes. Britton's tenor dominates the performance, but while he's melodically inventive he's also pretty mellow, as is guitarist Matt Davis, who contributes a flowing and lyrical solo of his own. "Partly" moves the pace up a notch, while the addition of John Britton's brother on trumpet gives the tune a little more urgency. The brothers' frontline playing is stylish and John's funky solo, underpinned by some effective comping from Davis, complements Britton's own more refined playing which makes full use of the tenor's range.
"Good Times" is structured around Jordan Berger's edgy, hip-hop-influenced bass line. Davis' guitar solo softens this edge somewhat, with some lovely single note runs, and then makes way for Britton's most creative tenor worka solo that builds its tension gradually before release, demonstrating the saxophonist's command of dynamics, as well as showing a slightly wilder, more emotive side to his playing.
So, three tunes that showcase a band having fun, but also a band with creativity and flair, Children At Play is a welcome introduction to Ben Britton's Unconventional Riot: a brief taste of things to come, and a clear sign that such things will be worth anticipating.
Track Listing
Children At Play; Partly; Good Times.
Personnel
Ben Britton
saxophoneBen Britton: tenor saxophone; Matt Davis: guitar; Jordan Berger: bass; Gabe Globus-Hoenich: drums; John Britton: trumpet (2).
Album information
Title: Children At Play | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Self Produced
< Previous
Denny Zeitlin: Labyrinth
Next >
Metal/Crystal