Kevin Mackenzie: PRIME Play Standards

Scottish guitarist Kevin Mackenzie steps forward with the second album from his collaborative organ trio PRIME. The music swings with a deft touch, with sharp arrangement adding fuel to a burning set of well-chosen standards.

Mackenzie has been a fixture in Scotland's jazz scene for more than three decades. He has worked extensively in trio formats, notably with Tom Bancroft and Phil Bancroft in Trio AAB, whose Cold Fusion (Caber Music, 1998) won the BBC Radio 3 Album Award in 1999. He has also held the electric guitar chair with The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. PRIME's first album Prime (Laundry Room Music, 2021) focused on original compositions. This time the spotlight is on standards, with nine tracks covering a wide range of styles and moods. The cover art nods to the Real Book, the standards bible used worldwide.

"Skylark" opens the album, bringing the Hoagy Carmichael classic into fresh light with a bouncing seven-four arrangement. It feels natural, Mackenzie's guitar leading in an up-close acoustic that captures every move and leaves no room for error. Peter Johnstone's organ lays down gentle chords before stepping forward to solo. John Coltrane's twelve-bar "Blues to You" follows, giving the trio an early chance to show their blues credentials and offering Johnstone space to stretch out before Doug Hough steps in on drums.

A Latin-tinged "Night and Day" lopes along with a relaxed, fluid feel, with Mackenzie really digging into the solo. "Without a Song" moves at a terrific pace, Johnstone's bass pedals navigating the harmony with ease while Hough flies alongside in tight formation. "People," the Jule Styne ballad from Funny Girl (1968), is more languid, giving Mackenzie room to shine on both melody and solo. "A Sleepin' Bee" drifts by with another strong solo from Johnstone, a bright talent on piano as well as organ, who stretches the harmonies just enough.

Sonny Rollins' "No Moe," first recorded in 1951 with the Modern Jazz Quartet, brings jaunty soloing from all three musicians. "We'll Be Together Again," presented as a guitar/organ duet, recalls Pat Martino's celebrated 1976 version, with Mackenzie offering a beautifully placed melody statement. It is a graceful way to close a carefully assembled and magnificently played collection.

The album is released on July 24, 2026, with a performance at The Jazz Bar Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh International Jazz & Blues Festival.