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Brian Molley Quartet: Clock
ByMolley, saxophonist and composer, is joined by a rhythm section of impeccable style: bassist Mario Caribe, pianist Tom Gibbs and drummer Stuart Brown. Molley, Gibbs and Brown work together in the Stu Brown Sextet, a band probably best-known for its interpretations of the tunes of Raymond Scott. Brazilian-born Caribé has become a key member of the Scottish jazz community, working alongside a diverse range of international stars including Joe Lovano, Ken Peplowski and Maria Schneider.
Whether it's the up-tempo "Parapraxis," the romantic and slightly mysterious "Iris And Her Bow," the good-humored and groovy "Chance On Chan" or the lush, sophisticated "Destinesia (of Fred and George)" the quartet always displays a cool, seemingly effortless, swing. Molley's tenor tone is gorgeouswarm, full and emotive. He combines that lovely tone with an acute ability to judge just how far to take his playing. Rather like the superb Bobby Wellins (a fellow Scot and tenor player) Molley never wastes a note.
"Cara y Cruz" kicks off proceedings, asserting the band's Latin chops, establishing Molley's talent on tenor and giving Gibbs an early opportunity to deliver a sparkling solo. Molley favors tenor saxophone on most of the tunes, but it's not his only instrument. On the punchy "When I Talk About Swimming" he adds bass clarinet to the tenor, the second instrument's rich and woody sound complementing Caribé's double bass. For "Chance On Chan" Molley's instrument of choice is the soprano saxophone, the higher range and tighter sound helping to create the tune's light-hearted flavor. On the sprightly "Um, Dos, Três" it's the clarinet.
Contemporary jazz with a Latin influence. That's what it says on the press release and on one level it's a pretty accurate description. But it doesn't tell the whole storyClock is a great way to spend some time.
Track Listing
Cara y Cruz; Get Happy; Destinesia; Destinesia (of Fred and George); Iris And Her Bow; Chance On Chan; What'll I Do; When I Talk About Swimming; Parapraxis; Um, Dos, Três.
Personnel
Brian Molley
saxophone, tenorBrian Molley: soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, piano; Tom Gibbs; piano; Mario Caribé: double bass, bass guitar, cavaquinho, percussion; Stuart Brown: drums.
Album information
Title: Clock | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: BGMM
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About Brian Molley
Instrument: Saxophone, tenor
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