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The Gascoyne O'Higgins Quartet: The Real Note Vol. 2
ByBassist Geoff Gascoyne and saxophonist Dave O'Higgins co-lead the group, which is completed by pianist Graham Harvey and drummer Sebastian De Krom. It would be hard to find a more experienced or intuitive quartet on the UK jazz scene. Fast workers, too: the album was recorded in a single afternoon in February 2014.
It seems almost de rigeur to give contrafacts titles that at least hint at the original source. Many hours of fun might be had simply by perusing such titles and guessing at the source material. The Gascoyne O'Higgins Quartet has a neat line in such titles, ranging from the pretty obvious (O'Higgins' "I Got Arrythmia" and "Shark Avenue") to the more subtle (Gascoyne's "Five Moods""I'm In The Mood For Love" in 5/4 timeand "Vision").
Contrafacts may sound like technical exercises for the up-and-coming jazz student, but in the hands of the Gascoyne O'Higgins Quartet they're fresh and rewarding takes on much loved old favorites. "Vision" (a waltz-time take on "You Stepped Out Of A Dream") is absolutely gorgeous: O'Higgins' lush tenor sax tone perfectly suits the warm romance of the melody, the three rhythm section players providing effortlessly cool support. "Embrace," Gascoyne's re-working of "Embraceable You," is languid and seductiveHarvey's lyrical solo is a standoutwhile the bassist's "Autopsy" rolls good-naturedly along at a similar pace to Count Basie's "Topsy," which gave it inspiration. "Shark Avenue" shares this good humor and mid-tempo swing, a nod to the friendly dolphin rather than the deadly shark.
The Real Note Vol. 2 also features two "non-contrafacts." "Broadway" gets a fast tempo treatment with solos from O'Higgins on tenor, Harvey and De Kromevery one swings, despite the super-quick pace. "Sophisticated Lady" matches the warmth and lush romanticism displayed on "Vision." O'Higgins' tenor once again takes the lead role, Harvey's solo is as sophisticated as the song demands. Solos or ensemble playing, contrafacts or classics, The Real Note Vol. 2 is a class act.
Track Listing
Darkness; Shark Avenue; Five Moods; Vision; I Got Arrythmia; Sophisticated Lady; RSVP; Embrace; Autopsy; Dedication; Broadway.
Personnel
Geoff Gascoyne
bassDave O'Higgins: soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone; Graham Harvey: piano; Geoff Gascoyne: double bass; Sebastiaan De Krom: drums.
Album information
Title: The Real Note Vol. 2 | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Jazzizit
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