ANÖNA TRIO - One January Morning
Beeboss Records
Imogen Ryall (voice); Julian Nicholas (saxophones); Mark Edwards (piano)
Recorded 29th September 2016 & 29th June 2017
The Anöna Trio is a relatively new group, but on the evidence of this outstanding recording deserve to be widely heard, and hopefully are given the opportunity to continue to work together and develop the musical relationship and group identity that already sounds fully formed.
The South Coast has more than its fair share of gifted musicians, but somehow in the bigger picture of the UK jazz scene seem to to get overlooked. With recent recordings by Terry Pack's Trees and The Cloggz, which all three members of Anöna Trio are associated, and now this album on Beeboss Records, will hopefully focus more attention on the music coming from this part of the country.
From the opening number, 'Food Of Love' written by saxophonist Julian Nicholas, it is apparent that there is something special happening here. The way that the three musicians blend into an ensemble that has a unique sound and concept, and treat this through composed piece in a manner that is quite different from its origins as the title track on Julian's award winning album from 2002 with painist Emil Vicklicky.
It is this blending of the instruments and Ryall's incredible voice that makes this ensemble so special. Even when working a more familiar turf on the standard 'If I Should Lose You', the vocalist is able to make the song her own, and with her ability as an improviser provides a wordless solo that shows a quick witted musical mind that rivals her companions, and sets thing up nicely for Julian Nicholas to deliver one of his own distinctive improvisations.
With three such different, yet musically compatible musicians, the resulting music cannot fail to excite and this it certainly does. Pianist Mark Edwards is not only a guiding hand on the tiller, but frequently holds court with saxophone and voice and in doing so encompasses multiple roles in shaping the sound of the the trio. Julian Nicholas has continually demonstrated that he is one of the country's finest saxophonists, and a composer of real distinction with the aforementioned 'Food Of Love' and the title track on which he plays some exquisite soprano saxophone. As for Imogen Ryall, despite accolades from Claire Martin among others, she appears to remain a well kept secret. It is therefore hoped that One January Morning that her considerable talents will be more widely heard.
However, the joy in the set is the way in which the trio are able to bring a variety of contemporary compositions from the likes of Carla Bley, Brad Meldau and Wayne Shorter into orbit with original pieces by Nicholas and an absolutely stunning reading of Ellington's 'In A Sentimental Mood' that serve a dual purpose as wholly satisfying performances, and also as teasers as to where the trio will take their music next. Comparisons with another formidable and legendary trio, Azimuth with Norma Winstone, John Taylor and Kenny Wheeler are not without foundation, and as the Anöna Trio develop their concept further it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Manfred Eicher may come knocking at the door.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Beeboss Records
Imogen Ryall (voice); Julian Nicholas (saxophones); Mark Edwards (piano)
Recorded 29th September 2016 & 29th June 2017
The Anöna Trio is a relatively new group, but on the evidence of this outstanding recording deserve to be widely heard, and hopefully are given the opportunity to continue to work together and develop the musical relationship and group identity that already sounds fully formed.
The South Coast has more than its fair share of gifted musicians, but somehow in the bigger picture of the UK jazz scene seem to to get overlooked. With recent recordings by Terry Pack's Trees and The Cloggz, which all three members of Anöna Trio are associated, and now this album on Beeboss Records, will hopefully focus more attention on the music coming from this part of the country.
From the opening number, 'Food Of Love' written by saxophonist Julian Nicholas, it is apparent that there is something special happening here. The way that the three musicians blend into an ensemble that has a unique sound and concept, and treat this through composed piece in a manner that is quite different from its origins as the title track on Julian's award winning album from 2002 with painist Emil Vicklicky.
It is this blending of the instruments and Ryall's incredible voice that makes this ensemble so special. Even when working a more familiar turf on the standard 'If I Should Lose You', the vocalist is able to make the song her own, and with her ability as an improviser provides a wordless solo that shows a quick witted musical mind that rivals her companions, and sets thing up nicely for Julian Nicholas to deliver one of his own distinctive improvisations.
With three such different, yet musically compatible musicians, the resulting music cannot fail to excite and this it certainly does. Pianist Mark Edwards is not only a guiding hand on the tiller, but frequently holds court with saxophone and voice and in doing so encompasses multiple roles in shaping the sound of the the trio. Julian Nicholas has continually demonstrated that he is one of the country's finest saxophonists, and a composer of real distinction with the aforementioned 'Food Of Love' and the title track on which he plays some exquisite soprano saxophone. As for Imogen Ryall, despite accolades from Claire Martin among others, she appears to remain a well kept secret. It is therefore hoped that One January Morning that her considerable talents will be more widely heard.
However, the joy in the set is the way in which the trio are able to bring a variety of contemporary compositions from the likes of Carla Bley, Brad Meldau and Wayne Shorter into orbit with original pieces by Nicholas and an absolutely stunning reading of Ellington's 'In A Sentimental Mood' that serve a dual purpose as wholly satisfying performances, and also as teasers as to where the trio will take their music next. Comparisons with another formidable and legendary trio, Azimuth with Norma Winstone, John Taylor and Kenny Wheeler are not without foundation, and as the Anöna Trio develop their concept further it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Manfred Eicher may come knocking at the door.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
