Misha Mullov-Abbado: Effra

Effra is the fourth album from multi-award-winning bassist, composer and arranger Misha Mullov-Abbado. It is a collection of the music he has written for his long-standing sextet over the last four years. An experienced bandleader and multifaceted sideman, his talents have led to him working alongside Tim Garland and Rob Luft. He is probably best known to international audiences from the album Za Górami recorded with Alice Zawadzki and Fred Thomas (ECM, 2024).

Effra is dedicated to Brixton, where Mullov-Abbado has lived all his life. It is one of London's most vibrant areas with many musical associations. Effra is the name of a now-underground river in the area and is also used in road and pub names.

The album opens with "Traintracker," a dynamic track that showcases the sextet's exceptional cohesion. The horn section, featuring trumpeter James Davison alongside saxophonists Matthew Herd and Sam Rapley, sets the tone before Mullov-Abbado, pianist Liam Dunachie and drummer Scott Chapman establish a groove inspired by the bustling rhythms of London's train network. Their interplay is excellent, a testament to over a decade of collaboration, while the superbly crafted arrangement gives everyone a moment in the spotlight.

Two tracks inspired by a personal relationship follow. The delightful melody of "Bridge" drifts in on lyrical trumpet and saxophones and evolves into inventive improvising from Herd and Rapley. Mullov-Abbado's bass is the focus of "Rose;" he carries the gentle melody, supported by Dunachie's pulsing piano, before moving into a solo. Dunachie then takes the reins as the tempo increases and the horns join.

The horn section's seamless interplay creates the illusion of a much larger ensemble. This is particularly striking in "The Effra Parade," named after a small Brixton street. The track captures the neighborhood's diverse character through its blend of street-party energy and urban edge. Throughout the composition, trumpet and saxophones weave together in fluid dialogue, their swing and wail masking the precision of the underlying arrangement. The big band aesthetic continues into "Canção De Sobriedade," where the horns unite over samba rhythms before giving way to an inspired piano, bass, and drum interlude.

Elsewhere, Davison excels on "Subsonic Glow," and Mullov-Abbado demonstrates the breadth of his compositional range on the poignant "Red Earth." The intriguing "Nanban" provides a fitting conclusion to the album. The sextet succeeds in blending inspired improvisation into meticulously crafted compositions that capture the vibrancy and vitality of urban life. Through this recording, Mullov-Abbado cements his position among the UK's top bassists and showcases his outstanding musicianship along with a creative energy that holds considerable promise.