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Hill Collective: Tonal Prophecy

By Adam Nolan
June 15, 2024
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Improvisation meets The Wizard of Oz. Sun Ra meets a community choir vibe. Saxophone, trombone, and trumpet shake the ceiling, and the electric bass takes us into some kind of rhumba. Hill Collective from Brighton, UK, has something to tell us. There is a hip vibe to this. Accessibility is visible, as is the accuracy of parts played.

The house is eerie yet still interesting and inspiring enough to enter the door to a land of forgotten dreams. Diggable and understandable. African influences are ever present and chaos is respected. Although the chaotic circus is pleasing to the ear, the written arrangements are fun and full of little flurries of joy.

The piano escapes to different realities as the rest of the group follows its lead. One could see it as big green leaves in an Indian jungle. Ornette Coleman is an influence for sure. A lot is said in this album. The drums sound great and don't invade, but more take part in a similar vibe to the rest. Organised chaos.

In "Answer to Two Questions," we are in a smokey lane accompanied by spoken word vocals. The piano is fun and playfully scenic. The head is the same.

Contact Adam Nolan on All About Jazz.
Adam Nolan is a free jazz saxophonist/rapper/music producer and writer based in Ireland.

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