Alison Rayner Quintet: SEMA4

Live albums offer a snapshot of a band at a particular time, sometimes capturing them at their peak, when the adrenaline is flowing and the group's energy and cohesion are at their best. SEMA4 by the Alison Rayner Quintet (also known as ARQ) is such an album. It was recorded live at the Vortex Jazz Club in East London in mid-2024.

Having previously released three albums on the Blow The Fuse label: August (2014), A Magic Life (2016) and Short Stories (2019), this live performance was not originally intended for release, but it captures a collective sound built on relationships that have lasted decades. Those relationships date back to Rayner's early collaboration with guitarist Deirdre Cartwright in the 1970s, in the days when it was uncommon to find the words "woman" and "musician" in the same sentence. They still play a pivotal role in campaigning to raise awareness and provide support to women jazz musicians.

Those lengthy relationships extend to pianist Steve Lodder and saxophonist Diane McLoughlin, with whom Rayner has worked for over 30 years. Drummer Buster Birch is relatively new, joining the group in 1998. Individually, each band member has been a strong contributor to the British jazz scene. Collectively, they have won multiple awards and toured extensively across the UK and Europe.

Rayner composed four of the nine tracks, including the opener, "Espíritu Libre." Lively percussion leads on to a journey evoked by sax, guitar and piano solos, and nods toward the band's broad circle of influences which include jazz, Latin, rock and folk. "Semaphore" opens with Rayner's bass and, together with Birch, sets up a tight swinging soulful groove that moves into reggae as Mcloughlin and Cartwright swap leads. On the lively "Trip Dance," the band has fun with rhythms as the solos are passed around.

The collaborative nature of ARQ is highlighted by contributions from other band members. Cartwright contributes "Signals From Space," her versatile guitar echoing fast radio transmissions as hints of fusion and prog rock are blended with sax, bass and piano solos. Lodder weighs in with "The Handkerchief Tree" and the inventive "Hamble Horror." McLoughlin provides "Riding The Waves" and the superb rock-influenced "Looking For A Quiet Place."

"All Will Be Well" closes the album with a gentle sway that gradually intensifies, led by some of McLoughlin's best work, to an emotional end. Throughout this intelligently balanced live set, each band member finds moments to shine individually. They confidently communicate each song with purpose, backed by a clear bond of unity. The album is engaging and melodic, with a strong spark of inspired improvisation running through the songs, making this an easy one to recommend.

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