Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Harrison Smith Quartet: Outside Inside

Harrison Smith Quartet: Outside Inside

By Glenn Astarita
October 1, 2001
View read count

The U.K. based, “Harrison Smith Quartet” provides substantial correlation to the title of its new CD, as they most effectively delve into the outside and inside of modern jazz with this set consisting of exceptionally strong material. Multi-reedman, Harrison Smith leads his band through a series of intricately devised movements, spanning lushly organized voicings, budding undercurrents and vivid dreamscapes on the opener, “Outside Inside.” However, the musicians’ periodically kick the proceedings into high gear via melodically tinged themes and the lead soloists’ harmoniously constructed unison lines and heated exchanges. Needless to state, this outfit performs with the utmost conviction as they seamlessly blend sonorous arrangements with dashingly executed fireworks.

The quartet ventures into free-jazz territory during “Cliffhanger/”For U,” whereas they pursue a Latin vibe amid Smith’s radiant tenor sax work and pianist Liam Noble’s lyrically charged soloing on the piece titled, “On The Tiles.” Hence, Outside Inside constitutes a welcome if somewhat unexpected surprise, as the band is quite well known in Europe yet largely under recognized here on these American shores. Highly recommended.

USA distribution: Cadence

Track Listing

1. Outside Inside 2. With Respect 3. Adventures with D.P. 4./5. Cliffhanger/For U. 6. All Sixes and Sevens 7. On the Tiles 8. Sweetie

Personnel

Harrison Smith Quartet

Harrison Smith: tenor/soprano saxophones, bass clarinet

Album information

Title: Outside Inside | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Slam Records

About Harrison Smith Quartet

PREVIOUS / NEXT

A Fireside Chat With Jason Moran
< Previous

Expositions of Freedom...Now!
Next >

Become a Sustaining Member

Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.

Help Build the Future of All About Jazz

Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.

Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.

Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.