Dom Franks' Strayhorn: Duality Pt: 02

Having whetted our appetite with Duality Pt: 01 (Self-Produced, 2024), saxophonist Dom Franks, together with his band StrayHorn, returns with Duality Pt: 02, revealing another side of the saxophonist's impressive range as a composer. Whilst the first release leaned into funky Hammond grooves inspired by Larry Goldings and Joey DeFrancesco, this follow-up moves in a different direction.

This time the inspiration stems from the vibrant sounds of 1970s Brazilian jazz. Central to the project is Brazilian arranger Luiz Morais, whose string arrangements with the Carducci String Quartet add rich textures to several of Franks' compositions. This may lead one to expect an album of Brazilian jazz, but this is not the case; while the influence is there, especially in the vibrant rhythms, the album draws on a far broader palette.

Franks, a familiar figure in the west of England jazz scene, has had an interesting career to date, which includes time as an orchestral clarinetist, working in bookings and promotions at London jazz clubs, winning the Daily Telegraph Young Jazz Musician of the Year competition and then studying on the postgraduate jazz course at London's Guildhall School of Music with former Jazz Messenger Jean Toussaint. He is supported on the album by guitarist Aidan Pope, drummer Andrew Brotherton, Alex Steele on Fender Rhodes and Jules Jackson on electric 5-string bass.

The album opens with "Unity Road," an accomplished composition that showcases each musician's individual strengths: Franks constructs a strong saxophone melody, Pope transforms a recurring guitar motif into an impressive solo, Brotherton and Jackson develop an infectious funky groove, while Steele provides tasteful accompaniment throughout. The Carducci String Quartet makes its entrance on "Duality (Twin Poles)." Their presence adds a lush cinematic quality to the ballad, with Franks' solo hitting the sweet spot.

Bass and drums propel the momentum in "The Outliers," creating space for both Franks' fluid solo work and Pope's versatility in both comping and improvisation. "Lullaby for Yerevan" offers a thoughtfully integrated quartet performance that provides a tender and evocative meditation on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The Carducci String Quartet returns for the album's final three tracks, opening with "Full Time Mover." Here, the sharp arrangement combines with Jackson's meaty electric bass to create a funky groove that serves as a foundation for Franks' warm, supple saxophone work.

Morais' string arrangement on "Simple Song (for Jimmy Webb)" captures exactly the kind of bittersweet, cinematic quality that defined many of Webb's classic compositions. The string quartet adds texture and occasional edge to "The Rule of the Blade," which has a classy melody and inventive sax and bluesy guitar interplay.

Throughout the album, Franks proves himself a compelling force both as saxophonist and as a composer. His lyrical approach, supported by his collaborators, draws out the melody and groove of these elegant compositions. The Brazilian influence subtly adds to the harmonic palette and ensures buoyant rhythms, while the addition of the strings, perhaps with a nod to Vince Mendoza in the phrasing, ensures the album remains engaging from start to finish.

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