Neoteric Ensemble: Neoteric Ensemble Volume 1

Trumpeter Toby Street and tuba player Adrian Miotti formed Neoteric Ensemble to explore modern compositions and find new inspiration for themselves and their audiences. The debut album from this distinctive sextet features an intriguing line-up of woodwind and brass. Street and Miotti are joined by Sarah Field on saxophone and trumpet, trombonist Richard Watkin, trumpeter James Fountain and saxophonist Rob Buckland. All the musicians have a predominantly classical music background and are no strangers to major UK orchestras.

The group's debut album, Neoteric Ensemble Volume 1, offers recently commissioned pieces by contemporary composers. Whilst having a variety of influences, the album sits at the junction of contemporary-classical and jazz. The pulsing and metrical compositions, together with splendid tuba playing by Miotti. make up for the absence of bass and drums.

The album begins with Buckland's "Soundscapes." Originally part of a set of ten duets for two saxophones, the piece now consists of three movements which have been re-orchestrated for the ensemble. "Mojito" blows away any preconceptions of how the band might sound with its bright, playful and buoyant melody. The evocative folk music of Scandinavia underpins the atmospheric "Fjord," whilst the interplay of brass and saxophones are a feature of the lively and swinging "Bosh." Named after a road in Brixton, "The Effra Parade," composed by Misha Mullov-Abbado, is a joy with its light hearted and fun touches amongst its many twists and turns. It features trumpet and sax solos, all supported by that rock solid tuba.

Andy Panayi's four-part "Pandemic Suite" follows. The frenzied interplay of "Huanan Market" marks the chaotic start of the pandemic. "The Traveller is Named" represents the spread of the virus with the repeating brass knells suggesting division and spread. The speed of the virus is suggested in the urgent pulsing riff and swirling sax of "The Traveller Goes Forth" before the happy, almost danceable rhythms of "Lockdown Release."

The tight melody lines and hard hitting rhythms of Charlotte Harding's "Neo" offer improvisational space before an attractive and soothing conclusion. "Karatina Market," from Street, is a stand-out, three minutes insufficient to contain so many good melodic ideas. "Bach in Barbados," composed by Dan Jenkins, has the suggested Bach-inspired opening before building into a pulsing riff that builds through the piece, eventually erupting into a short Caribbean-flavoured finish. Mark Nightingale's "Arriba," closes the album on an exhilarating high, bringing the excitement of carnival rhythms with spirited playing and remarkable trumpet work.

The album offers modern compositions and first class playing in a highly distinctive soundscape. The brass and woodwind combinations are always innovative and they neatly fuse the contemporary classical with African and Latin jazz elements.

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