COLIN STEELE QUINTET - Even In The Darkest Places
Gadgemo Records GAD002CD
Colin Steele (trumpet); Michael Buckley (tenor & soprano saxophones); Dave Milligan (piano); Calum Gourley (bass); Stu Ritchie (drums)
Recorded 23rd & 24th July, 2015
After three superb albums with his Quintet, two for Caber Records and one for the German ACT label, trumpeter Colin Steele seemed to be on a roll, and just when one would be looking forward to more from this gifted musician he seemed to disappear from the scene. Fast forward ten years, and the trumpeter is back with his quintet and playing as if they had never been away, which is good news both for them and us.
Ten years is a fair chunk of time in anybody's life, so what had Steele been up to? His Celtic project, Stramash combining traditional Scottish melodies and jazz came of age along with some big band charts for the Edinburgh Jazz Festival Big Band. The trumpeter was also busy touring with the theatre show, 'A Funny Valentine', thus pursuing his love for the music of Chet Baker. The major turning point however, was the misguided attempt to improve his trumpet technique via online tuition which resulted in damage to his embouchure that left him unable to play. The timely intervention of trumpeter Martin O'Keefe of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, who nursed Steele back to full playing fitness. Accepting no remuneration for his services, Steele quite rightly acknowledges O'Keefe as an "angel" in his time of need.
After this error of judgement, happily Colin Steele is now back with a vengeance as this superb new set ably demonstrates. As if no time has passed since the equally fine Through The Waves for ACT back in 2005, the quintet reconvene and immediately reestablish the group sound and rapport that distinguished their previous recordings. It is fortunate that the all members from Waves were once again available when the trumpeter called, and it is great to have Dave Milligan once again working his magic with Steele's compositions and arranging the music for the quintet in what is now a readily identifiable ensemble sound. This partnership between trumpeter and pianist is pure gold, and between Colin's delightful melodies and Milligan's ability to grasp the essence of each tune and arrange them for the quintet in a manner that brings out the best that all the participants have to offer.
The resulting music is full of melodies that remain with the listener long after the last notes of the piece fade. All have an air of familiarity that is comforting and this again is down to the trumpeter's innate sense of continuity in his writing that transcends the time that has elapsed between albums. The melodies are often simply crafted, nothing over crowded or convoluted, but instrumental 'songs' that easily convey their message without the need for words. Never one to over elaborate it is therefore somewhat of a paradox that the compositions that perhaps elicit the most interest are the two longest pieces ' Suite For Theo' and 'Down To The Wire' that run in at over ten minutes each, with both composer and arranger being able to develop the thematic material into long form compositions that are totally compelling.
Lest we should forget that this is a jazz album, there are superb solos from all concerned, powered along by a superlative rhythm section, but it as an overall ensemble experience that Steele's story is best told in these wonderful tunes. Let us hope that another decade does not pass before the next album from the Colin Steele Quintet, and in the meantime enjoy this latest offering.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Gadgemo Records GAD002CD
Colin Steele (trumpet); Michael Buckley (tenor & soprano saxophones); Dave Milligan (piano); Calum Gourley (bass); Stu Ritchie (drums)
Recorded 23rd & 24th July, 2015
After three superb albums with his Quintet, two for Caber Records and one for the German ACT label, trumpeter Colin Steele seemed to be on a roll, and just when one would be looking forward to more from this gifted musician he seemed to disappear from the scene. Fast forward ten years, and the trumpeter is back with his quintet and playing as if they had never been away, which is good news both for them and us.
Ten years is a fair chunk of time in anybody's life, so what had Steele been up to? His Celtic project, Stramash combining traditional Scottish melodies and jazz came of age along with some big band charts for the Edinburgh Jazz Festival Big Band. The trumpeter was also busy touring with the theatre show, 'A Funny Valentine', thus pursuing his love for the music of Chet Baker. The major turning point however, was the misguided attempt to improve his trumpet technique via online tuition which resulted in damage to his embouchure that left him unable to play. The timely intervention of trumpeter Martin O'Keefe of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, who nursed Steele back to full playing fitness. Accepting no remuneration for his services, Steele quite rightly acknowledges O'Keefe as an "angel" in his time of need.
After this error of judgement, happily Colin Steele is now back with a vengeance as this superb new set ably demonstrates. As if no time has passed since the equally fine Through The Waves for ACT back in 2005, the quintet reconvene and immediately reestablish the group sound and rapport that distinguished their previous recordings. It is fortunate that the all members from Waves were once again available when the trumpeter called, and it is great to have Dave Milligan once again working his magic with Steele's compositions and arranging the music for the quintet in what is now a readily identifiable ensemble sound. This partnership between trumpeter and pianist is pure gold, and between Colin's delightful melodies and Milligan's ability to grasp the essence of each tune and arrange them for the quintet in a manner that brings out the best that all the participants have to offer.
The resulting music is full of melodies that remain with the listener long after the last notes of the piece fade. All have an air of familiarity that is comforting and this again is down to the trumpeter's innate sense of continuity in his writing that transcends the time that has elapsed between albums. The melodies are often simply crafted, nothing over crowded or convoluted, but instrumental 'songs' that easily convey their message without the need for words. Never one to over elaborate it is therefore somewhat of a paradox that the compositions that perhaps elicit the most interest are the two longest pieces ' Suite For Theo' and 'Down To The Wire' that run in at over ten minutes each, with both composer and arranger being able to develop the thematic material into long form compositions that are totally compelling.
Lest we should forget that this is a jazz album, there are superb solos from all concerned, powered along by a superlative rhythm section, but it as an overall ensemble experience that Steele's story is best told in these wonderful tunes. Let us hope that another decade does not pass before the next album from the Colin Steele Quintet, and in the meantime enjoy this latest offering.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
