STEVE DAVIS - THINK AHEAD
Trombonist and composer Steve Davis offers a master class on his
new release, Think Ahead, in art of reacting to the unpredictable with an elite
group of jazz all-stars whose ability to create spontaneously borders on the
clairvoyant. For this album, Davis focuses on his original writing and
arranging; it s hardly a secret that Davis is one of the most talented
composers on the modern jazz scene. To render these new compositions, Davis
assembled a stellar group of masters: the trombonist is joined by saxophonists
Steve Wilson and Jimmy Greene, pianist Larry Willis, bassist Peter Washington
and drummer Lewis Nash, each deserving the title of 'jazz giant' in their own
right. In fact, it was this precise ensemble that Davis had in mind when he sat
down to write several months before the session. He shares with every member of
the ensemble a long and deep history, so he knew that he would have the makings
of a truly profound, flawlessly swinging, flat-out burning set of music. In
addition to Davis originals, Think Ahead also includes two beloved standards,
'Polka Dots and Moonbeams' and 'Love Walked In,' as well as two jazz classics by
departed giants Tony Williams and Bobby Hutcherson, 'Warrior' and 'Little B s
Poem,' respectively. 'I ve been deeply involved with everyone in this band on
not only a professional level but as friends for decades,' Davis says. 'So it
was more than an honor to have this group together.' The resulting record is an
inspired set of straight-ahead jazz that will be a favorite for years to come.
COLIN STEELE QUARTET - DIVING FOR PEARLS
Steele has a long association with The Pearl fishers since
he appeared as a studio musician on many of their albums. Steele: "I'd
played on many sessions with The Pearl fishers before, and have a similar taste
in music with David Scott, with our shared love of Burt Bacharach, Beatles and
Beach Boys. I was impressed by the depth of the beautiful melodies and could
immediately hear my own voice playing these melodies - specifically using the
'Miles Davis sound' of the Harmon mute." The results are simply gorgeous.
The album kick-starts with the joyous blast of "The Bluebells" - a
song that originally appeared on the Pearl fishers album "Up With The
Larks". Colin Steele makes it swing and rise just beautifully. His warm,
melodic playing and tone is also a perfect match for the wonderful
"Everything Works Out", one of Scott's most enduring songs. "The
Vampires Of Camelon" rides on a great piano riff reminiscent of Vince
Guaraldi - brilliantly played by Dave Milligan, Steele's long-time
collaborator, who also arranged the album. Quite fabulously so.
MISHA MULLOY-ABBADO - NEW ANSONIA
New Ansonia is the debut album from bassist and composer
Misha Mullov-Abbado, winner of the 2014 Kenny Wheeler Music Prize. Son of the
late, great Italian conductor Claudio Abbado and Russian violinist Viktoria
Mullova, British-born Mullov-Abbado grew up in a powerfully musical
environment, a unique upbringing that has inspired Misha to create his own
musical identity and tell his own compelling story. This, his debut album, demonstrates
gifts that are uniquely his own and is full of unusual colours, leaps of
imagination and a strong sense of character. New Ansonia clearly defines the
path Misha intends to follow both as a composer and performer of exceptional
ability. As Kenny Wheeler Music Prize judge Evan Parker put it, this is the
beginning of a journey of an outstanding individual . To achieve his musical
goals Misha has brought together a wealth of young talent from the vibrant and
creative London jazz scene with a front line of alto saxophonist Matthew Herd
and trombonist Tom Green and alongside him in the rhythm section YouTube
sensation & Quincy Jones protégé Jacob Collier on keys and drummer Scott
Chapman. With a strong sense of song, evolving with dramatic twists, shifting
dynamics and moods, New Ansonia is an exceptional debut - colourful, bursting
with character, grooves, melody and inventive soloing.
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