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Aquarium: Aquarium
ByLeak and Allsoppwho is featured strongly on tenor saxophone and bass clarinetare a formidable duo. Allsopp is initially the more noticeable player, particularly on bass clarinet, while Leak is the more nuanced and less demonstrative of the two; it's a balanced and winning combination. There's some terrific interplay, too, between Gourlay and drummer Joshua Blackmore.
"The Treasure Chest" has touches of John Coltrane's spirituality about it, thanks in particular to Allsopp's tenor saxophone. "Sleek" is more playful, centered on a funky groove from Blackmore's drums, and featuring some honking saxophone from Allsopp. "Shy" is a sedate, calm, and rather melancholy tune. "Shades of Grey" also exudes calmness, albeit of a more romantic hue. Leak and Blackmore are at their most delicate here and Gourlay's bass solo is warm and sensual. There are times on "Evensong" and "The Treasure Chest" when the band seems to lose direction and sounds a little hesitant. But those moments, though starkly apparent, are brief.
"Shades of Grey (featuring Rhiannon Bradbury)" is not simply a reprise of "Shades of Grey" with added vocals. It is instead a reinterpretation of the tune, performed as a duet between Leak's piano and Bradbury's voice. Leak plays sparingly, emphasizing the lower register of the instrument, as Bradbury sings her own lyrics. She sings beautifully, with occasional vocal inflections that are reminiscent of Kate Bush. In her lower register Bradbury sounds controlled and mature. In her upper register she's a little edgier, with a childlike quality. The result is instantly appealing.
Aquarium is yet another indication of the strength of talent to be found among the younger generation of British jazz musicians. These four players already show a musical maturity beyond their years on this impressive debut. The potential that they also display is possibly even more exciting.
Track Listing
Strangers; Grasshopper; Evensong; Shades of Grey; Pisa Rain; The Treasure Chest; Shy; Sleek; Shades of Grey (featuring Rhiannon Bradbury).
Personnel
Sam Leak: piano; James Allsopp: bass clarinet, tenor saxophone; Calum Gourlay: bass; Josh Blackmore: drums; Rhiannon Bradbury: vocals (9).
Album information
Title: Aquarium | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Babel Label