CAROLINE SCOTT - Khoalesce
Self Release CSCD0001
Kevin Glasgow (bass); John Turville (piano); Duncan Eagles (tenor saxophone); Caroline Scott (drums)
Recorded 23rd & 24th July 2018
With a running time of just over the thirty five minute mark, this debut album from drummer Caroline Scott is excellent value fr money, proving once again that quality is better than quantity. How many times have you bought a CD with a playing time in excess of an hour, only to have lost interest half way through? Well rest assured that this will certainly not happen when listening to Khoalesce.
As with many albums there is a story behind it inception with the young drummer having undergone open heart surgery in 2017, with the compositions for the album having been written during a period of recuperation. The eleven compositions presented are quite diverse but never for diversities sake, and the music all knits together as a unifying whole. As one would expect from a drummer there is a strong and creative rhythmic centre, but Caroline is no slouch when it comes to writing a great melodic hook either.
To this end the quartet set out their stall early on with a dynamic and gripping opening number, 'Orangutan', and in doing so coax a fine solo out of saxophonist Duncan Eagles. Kevin Glasgow gets to flex his muscles on 'Wind Chimes' and also sets the tone for the driving energy behind 'Big Flashing Lights, and walks with a swagger behind the tenor solo on 'Blues For Kev'.
Scattered among the uptempo and rhythmically tricky pieces, Scott throws in two outstanding ballads. Pianist, John Turville, gets nearly half of 'Overflow' to himself breathing life into Caroline's beautiful melody before being joined by by his colleagues. 'Golden Jubilee' is played by just a trio with Eagles sitting out, but finds him returning for the lovely 'Mauna Kea Sky' where his relaxed and warm sound on the tenor saxophone is at the fore, his playing becoming a little more urgent as the tempo warms up.
Not just a wonderful debut but a wonderful album. Period.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Self Release CSCD0001
Kevin Glasgow (bass); John Turville (piano); Duncan Eagles (tenor saxophone); Caroline Scott (drums)
Recorded 23rd & 24th July 2018
With a running time of just over the thirty five minute mark, this debut album from drummer Caroline Scott is excellent value fr money, proving once again that quality is better than quantity. How many times have you bought a CD with a playing time in excess of an hour, only to have lost interest half way through? Well rest assured that this will certainly not happen when listening to Khoalesce.
As with many albums there is a story behind it inception with the young drummer having undergone open heart surgery in 2017, with the compositions for the album having been written during a period of recuperation. The eleven compositions presented are quite diverse but never for diversities sake, and the music all knits together as a unifying whole. As one would expect from a drummer there is a strong and creative rhythmic centre, but Caroline is no slouch when it comes to writing a great melodic hook either.
To this end the quartet set out their stall early on with a dynamic and gripping opening number, 'Orangutan', and in doing so coax a fine solo out of saxophonist Duncan Eagles. Kevin Glasgow gets to flex his muscles on 'Wind Chimes' and also sets the tone for the driving energy behind 'Big Flashing Lights, and walks with a swagger behind the tenor solo on 'Blues For Kev'.
Scattered among the uptempo and rhythmically tricky pieces, Scott throws in two outstanding ballads. Pianist, John Turville, gets nearly half of 'Overflow' to himself breathing life into Caroline's beautiful melody before being joined by by his colleagues. 'Golden Jubilee' is played by just a trio with Eagles sitting out, but finds him returning for the lovely 'Mauna Kea Sky' where his relaxed and warm sound on the tenor saxophone is at the fore, his playing becoming a little more urgent as the tempo warms up.
Not just a wonderful debut but a wonderful album. Period.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
