‘The National Anthem’’s fractured groove coalesces around a powerful bass figure, spontaneously created by Whitford: “Dave earths the whole thing, with his beautiful, massive amazing sound”. ‘How to Disappear Completely’ shimmers with banks of violins, ‘Treefingers’ is an oasis of stillness, and ‘Optimistic’ pulls the listener forward with its impetuous rhythmic rush.
‘In Limbo’ has a typically unique statement from Freestone, and ‘Idioteque’ allows Allsop to unleash his fearsome baritone sax chops: “Tori - she’s so free: she goes for it and doesn’t hold back, and she never plays any clichés. Her and James are such an amazing pairing - his baritone playing is some of the darkest, vibey playing I’ve ever heard.”
‘Morning Bell’ features a prodigious solo from drummer Will Glaser. “Will is such a complete musician: he completely understands the right thing to do in any situation. He’s a little demon!” ‘Motion Picture Soundtrack’ ends the journey with a hushed, contemplative ballad reading.
Simpson’s imaginative, free-flowing arrangements give his superb band space to unleash their own individual voices. Sometimes sticking closely to the original melodies, sometimes re-purposing elements as the jumping-off point for radically new explorations, he leads his creative cohort to create a thrillingly uncategorizable musical experience. This record takes the listener on a journey through an ever-changing landscape of powerfully emotive moods and textures, while still preserving the concise, focussed energy and emotional directness of the original.
A regular performer at Ronnie Scotts, the 606 Jazz Club, Pizza Express Dean Street, The Vortex and The Bull’s Head, Simpson has also performed at the Royal Festival Hall. In 2008, Rick won a Yamaha Scholarship Prize for Outstanding Jazz Musicians and has also appeared on the front cover of Jazzwise Magazine.
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