Conor Cantrell: A Place Between Homes

Finding his voice as a composer and guitarist has taken Conor Cantrell on a journey from his native Galway in Ireland to Berlin, via London. So, it may not be a surprise to find that his debut album A Place Between Homes contains song titles like "Departing," "Arriving" and "Another Goodbye." It is clear that his journey across Europe has been the inspiration behind the material on the album.

Cantrell started as a trumpet player who studied and took masterclasses from some of the best, including Steve Waterman, Jerry Bergonzi and Mark Turner. Along the way, he evolved into a guitarist, and studied in London before moving to Berlin to complete his studies. He has spent many years developing his craft, working as a sideman, notably with Imelda May and Louis Stewart.

Joining Cantrell to form a septet are trumpeter Johannes Böhmer, trombonist Will Pethick, pianist Kenneth Berkel, bassist Max Leiss and drummer David Guy. The group is completed by another Irishman, Cantrell's childhood friend, saxophonist Riley Stone-Lonergan.

The excellent and multi-faceted opening track "Departed" begins with Cantrell's mellow guitar groove, moving through catchy phrases from the wind instruments and piano into a well-constructed guitar solo. Stone-Lonergan's fast-moving sax takes over, with Leiss and Guy's energy and interplay binding it all together. The composition is not what might be expected of a typical guitar-led piece. It blends in a variety of hooks and phases, utilising all the instruments and cleverly introducing them into the ensemble sound.

Elsewhere, "Searching" gently pulses and swirls with Stone-Lonergan's breathy sax entwining around Pethick's expressive trombone. Berkel's piano explores and Cantrell's solo flows. "Winding Streets" has an air of dark nights and mystery, with the septet restrained. Cantrell's extensive solo is plaintive and bluesy and Böhmer's trumpet matches perfectly. "Another Goodbye" has a more relaxed feel. Cantrell's solo is melodic and laid-back, before gradually picking up pace and handing off to fine improvisations from Stone-Lonergan and Leiss.

Alongside the crisp guitar work (which occasionally may remind one of Peter Bernstein), there are memorable melodies throughout the album. Perhaps most notably on the standout track "Arrival." The folk-influenced introduction on bittersweet trumpet leads to a soaring melodic solo from Stone-Lonergan before sax, trumpet and trombone combine to end a heart-warming track. An alternate take of "Departed" is added for additional interest and good measure.

All of the septet make memorable contributions; Berkel skilfully blends the melodies together, Leiss and Guy are expressive and rhythmic, Böhmer contributes some excellent solos, as does Pethick (most notably on "Unknown"), and Stone-Lonergan's melodic work is superb. That leaves Cantrell, whose mellow guitar sound has fluidity, passion and good use of space. Perhaps influenced by his education on the trumpet, which has given him a wider musical perspective, it is the strength of the compositions and ensemble arrangements that are the real stars here, making this a remarkably assured debut that is easy to recommend.

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