Q3: Water Speckled Midnight

Named after a species of lichen, Water Speckled Midnight is the third album from British quartet, Q3. Their debut came with 2014's Spider Dance (Lenox Music) and was followed by Monkey Puzzle Tree in 2019 (Lenox Music). Whilst hardly prolific, it does suggest that the tunes are gestated over a long time. That is borne out by the finely-crafted melodies and well thought through arrangements that are revealed here.

This instrumental line-up of the quartet consists of five-string electric bass, piano, tenor saxophone and drums. Following a scholarship at Berklee College of Music, bassist Tiago Coimbra has recorded and performed with Hiromi, Cleveland Watkiss and Maceo Parker. Pianist Martin Hallmark has adopted an occasional, but welcome, Chick Corea-like flourish (this is hardly surprising as he once studied with the late composer). He has written all the compositions. Saxophonist Kevin Flanagan has played with B.B. King and members of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin during his long involvement in the jazz and pop scene. Drummer Oscar Reynolds provides a solid framework for the album providing a mix of delicacy and punch.

Flanagan drifts in with a lilting sax melody on the first track, "Through the Clouds." His classic tone and style sounding elegant and timeless. Hallmark takes over the reins with an improvisation that flows with some agreeable twists before Flanagan returns and Coimbra bends bass strings to end a satisfying opener. Moving to a piano trio format, "Odyssey" begins with Morse-code like pulsing piano theme which leads into an inventive Corea-like solo over Latin rhythms, expressive bass interjections and sharp drum sections. The romantic "Emerald Eyes" begins slowly with a smooth saxophone melody with a late-night feel before Hallmark's piano picks up the pace and Coimbra delivers a lyrical bass solo.

It is apparent that that these compositions use time and space to excellent effect, allowing the melody to weave around unhurried solos and combinations. The light funk of "Nomad" is a good example as saxophone and piano follow individual lines before coming together. Coimbra builds a sublime flamenco-style bass break; Hallmark's improvisation is open and fluid before Flanagan takes over with a Michael Brecker-like solo.

Elsewhere, the jaunty title track, features lightly-swinging saxophone over a pulsing piano. "Turnaround Time" has a Latin feel and feels like it could be a track from decades ago. It features a notable saxophone hook, some razor-sharp drumming from Reynolds and Coimbra again on top form. Hallmark's piano introduction to "Rondo di Girulata" swirls with yearning and leads to nimble saxophone and bass solos as the pace quickens to become dance-like.

Alongside the top-notch musicianship from the quartet, Hallmark's engaging compositions share the spotlight. Like a good TV boxed-set, they keep your attention throughout. Tight rhythms and well-executed solos support the melodic and accessible tunes, making the overall result highly listenable.

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