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CAMILLA GEORGE - Isang

Ubuntu Music UBU0004

Camilla George - alto sax; Sarah Tandy - piano; Daniel Casimir - bass; Femi Koleoso - drums; Zara McFarlane - vocals 

Camilla George has emerged out of the fertile scene, nurtured by the Tomorrow’s Warriors organisation, where young, multi-cultural London musicians meet the jazz establishment, as embodied by the Trinity College of Music and Ronnie Scott’s jam sessions. Though this is her debut as a leader,  she’s already got a decade of experience in the biz, not only with the Warriors but also with such evocatively-named acts as Courtney Pine’s Venus Warriors, the Nu Civilisation Orchestra, and with the award-winning cultural institution that is Jazz Jamaica.

‘Mamai Wata’ is a fast minor blues, of the kind that Jackie Mclean might have favoured, and showcases George’s light, smooth tone and nimble rhythmic sense. ‘Lunacity’ has a township-meets-calypso feel, complete with Carnival quotes - there’s lots of engaging playing, though George is perhaps too polite to preach. ‘Song For Red’ is a highlight - a timeless old-school ballad, with  George displaying an effortless sincerity in her melting tone, and pianist Tandy working in a beautifully poised statement reaching back to the stride tradition. Tandy lays out for the title track, allowing for some nimble exchanges with bassist Casimir, and giving George a chance to show how her melodic sensibilities are equal to sustaining an improvisation without the safety net of a harmonic instrument. Kenny Garrett’s  ‘Ms Baja’ is one of only two non-originals and benefits from a scat by fellow Jazz Jamaica artist Zara McFarlane - ‘Dreams Of Eket’ has a similar contemporary mellow straight-8s feel. ‘Night Has A Thousand Eyes’ is taken at a cooler temperature than the Coltrane version that popularised the tune - Tandy shines again on piano - as she does throughout the record - and Casimir cooks quietly but effectively with drummer Femi Koleoso - another Warriors graduate whose own Ezra Collective present another version of the mixed traditions of the African diaspora and urban UK.  ‘Mami Wata Returns/Usoro’ brings in electric bass and piano for a Afrobeat workout.

This is an honest, warm and unpretentious album; the band sound great together, and George’s poise and the character and sincerity in her voice mark her as one to watch out for. 


Reviewed by Eddie Myer

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ECM celebrates 50 years of music production with the Touchstones series of re-issues