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Gerard Presencer & Danish Radio Big Band: Groove Travels
ByThe seductively silky opener "Another Weirdo" reminds the listener of the sumptuousness of Joe Zawinul's elegant "74 Miles Away" and, in common with the five other tracks on the album penned by Presencer, demonstrates that this virtuoso trumpeter -his magnificently soaring flugelhorn solo punctuates the skilful arrangement -also has great compositional skills too. Presencer's flugelhorn cadenza introduces the multi-paced and intricately constructed "Blues For Des." Karl-Martin Almqvist solos here on tenor saxophone in addition to more interspersed blues-infused flugelhorn soloing.
"Ballad or Tango of the Misunderstood" is aptly-titled since it simultaneously combines the characteristics of a ballad and a tango. An engaging Fender Rhodes solo by Henrik Gunde precedes Presencer soloing on flugelhorn and Pelle Friddell on soprano sax, whose solo, somewhat curiously fades out at the conclusion of the track. "The Devil's Larder" has an instantly gripping melody line played by Presencer and then taken-up by the whole ensemble which here is multi-tracked giving the effect of a dynamic double big band.
Lennon & McCartney's "Eleanor Rigby" is given a stunningly dynamic reading with impressive solos by Presencer on flugelhorn and guitarist Per Gade describing a rather different take on the classic Beatles number than Wes Montgomery's unforgettable version on his 1967 album A Day In The Life. As suggested by its title, "Istanbul Coffee Cup" has a Middle Eastern flavour and the big band arrangement exudes an air of minor key sultriness perfectly epitomising Presencer's intended album concept of "grooves" or impressions that have affected the musician both in time and place.
The familiar melody of Wayne Shorter's "Footprints," cast in a less familiar big band setting, offers an opportunity for robust solos by tenor saxophonist Hans Ulrik Jensen and Steen Hansen on trombone as well as Presencer on trumpet and flugelhorn. The closer is the Billy Nicholls ballad "I Can't Stop Loving You" made famous first by Leo Sayer and later by Phil Collins and here embellished by a gorgeously mellifluous trumpet solo by Presencer. Whilst this is Gerard Presencer's first big band album, his imaginative compositions and taught arrangements make this an intensely satisfying and successful project, aided considerably by one of the world's finest large jazz ensembles.
Track Listing
Another Weirdo; Blues for Des; Ballad or Tango of the Misunderstood; The Devil's Larder; Eleanor Rigby; Istanbul Coffee Cup; Footprints; Can't Stop Loving You
Personnel
Gerard Presencer
flugelhornGerard Presencer: trumpet, flugelhorn. Danish Radio Big Band: Adam Rapa; Christer Gustafsson; Thomas Kjærgaard; Jens Chr. Gotholdt; Michael Mølhede: trumpets; Vincent Nilsson; Steen Hansen; Anders Larson; Ola Nordquist: trombones; André Jensen: tuba, bass trombone; Nicolai Schultz; Pelle Fridell; Hans Ulrik Jensen; Karl-Martin Almqvist; Anders Gaardmand: saxophones; Per Gade: guitar; Kaspar Vadsholt: bass; Søren Frost: drums; Henrik Gunde: Fender Rhodes, Organ, Synths; Eliel Lazo: percussion.
Album information
Title: Groove Travels | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Edition Records
Comments
About Gerard Presencer
Instrument: Flugelhorn
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