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John Warren: Following On
by Nic Jones
John Warren was fortunate in having the services of a cross-section of British jazz talent in the realization of Following On. Their talents and his writing and arranging meld nicely here, the overall feeling being that of friends coming together, with a view towards mutual cooperation. There are, however, negative implications. There are times when it's ...
Omri Ziegele’s Where’s Africa Trio: Can Walk On Sand
by Nic Jones
This could almost be a band “on a hiding to nothing" considering it self-consciously mines the seam of vibrant music first tapped by the likes of Chris McGregor and Harry Miller. Given the fact that it's only a trio, it's inevitable perhaps that the group lacks the sheer sonic impact of McGregor's much larger bands, but ...
Aram Shelton’s Fast Citizens: Two Cities
by Nic Jones
Fast Citizens may encapsulate a significant shift that's been occurring in creative improvised music over the last few decades, with the collective nature of music by a sextet of musicians who have been around long enough to qualify, more-or-less, as veterans. This is such an integral aspect of what they do, they make the case that ...
Jason Adasiewicz’s Rolldown: Varmint
by Nic Jones
Varmint is the second release from vibraphonist Jason Adasiewicz's Rolldown, following its self-titled 2008 debut on 482 Music. It's clear, from this program, that Rolldown is not content to stay in one place; no mean feat, considering the extent to which this music pays homage to Blue Note's documentation of artists like Andrew Hill and Sam ...
Quintus McCormick Blues Band: Hey Jodie!
by Nic Jones
It's clear from this release that Quintus McCormick has undergone a radical change of direction in the course of his musical life. In his formative years he was by his own admission hung up on Steve Howe of Yes but it's clear that as of November of 2008 when this set was recorded the fixation had ...
Zora Young: The French Connection
by Nic Jones
In Zora Young's case the “connection" isn't superficial, and her twenty plus tours of France prove it. Bobby Dirninger is the principal instrumentalist on this album and he's made the journey (or should that be pilgrimage?) only the other way around. It's clear that his transatlantic trips haven't been wasted either, as he provides Young with ...
Ned Rothenberg / Catherine Jauniaux / Barre Phillips: While You Were Out
by Nic Jones
One of the most consistently intriguing things about freely improvised music is the degree to which it can transcend the moment. While on the surface of it that moment might be something the free improviser has only to reach an accommodation with, on a deeper level such practitioners are arguably more subject to its vagaries than ...
Various Artists: Murder. Songs From The Dark Side Of The Soul
by Nic Jones
Themed compilations such as Murder. Songs From The Dark Side Of The Soul afford opportunity to hear just how diverse a range of interpretations a theme can provoke. Here the title is self-explanatory and that element of diversity exists in abundance. Sonny Boy Williamson's “Your Funeral My Trial" is still as irresistible as ever; ...
Wadada Leo Smith: Spiritual Dimensions
by Nic Jones
Wadada Leo SmithSpiritual DimensionsCuneiform2009 Trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith's journey into music is now so far advanced that every record of his is akin to a report from a new place, a musical equivalent of a space probe sending information back from the surface of an alien planet. The ...
Memphis Nighthawks featuring Ron DeWar: Jazz Lips
by Nic Jones
There's no mistaking the Memphis Nighthawks knew and loved traditional jazz, but what really distinguished the group was its blend of fire, drive and enthusiasm. On the 30 year-old sessions collected into Jazz Lips, the group puts these qualities across with enough vengeance to shame a host of neoconservatives, breathing life into its preferred form in ...
