ED JONES - For Your Ears Only
Impossible Ark
Ed Jones (tenor & soprano saxophones); Ross Stanley (piano); Riaan Vosloo (double bass); Tim Giles (drums); Brigitte Beraha (vocals)
Recorded June 2016
If Jones has garnered a reputation over the years as a hard hitting, no nonsense tenorman then with this latest release he places a strong emphasis on composition, and in doing so has produced an album that is full of delights. Yes there is the signature Ed Jones sound on both his horns, but there is also much use of contrast between light and shade, and subtle and effective use of dynamics throughout.
Keeping together the quartet formed in 2011, it is hard to believe that it has taken this long for the group to record their debut album, but it has to be said that it has been well worth the wait.
The longevity of the band coupled with extensive touring over the years has now forged a secure bond that is readily heard in this recording, operating as a single entity as opposed to simply tenor and rhythm. This has enabled Jones to be quite bold in the scope of his writing, sure that wherever the material goes, the quartet are eager to follow. And herein lies the joy in these performances.
From a compositional point of view, Jones has excelled himself with a set that is full of life and vitality. There is not a weak track to be heard across the hour plus playing time, and the music has an internal logic and cohesiveness that makes the album wholly satisfying. Opening with soprano on 'Nomadology' the saxophonist spins sinewy lines ably supported by the rhythm section, to be followed by the equally forthright 'Pandora's Box', this time on tenor.
The tenor is again used to fine effect on the only piece not composed by the leader, 'Solstice' from the pen of bassist Riaan Voosloo, a beautiful ballad that Ed Jones stamps his authority and personality all over, showing once again that he knows just how to handle slower tempos. This sits in between the two longest tracks on the album, 'Marielyst' and 'Ebb And Flow'. The former building from the drum solo that introduces the piece, into piano solo that is full of twists and turns before Ed Jones wades in at around the seven mark, with a solo that pushes the piece with and almost belligerent solo prior to easing us back into a closing theme that again builds in intensity.
'Ebb And Flow' is most aptly titled, opening with small and gentle motifs from piano and tenor sax to be joined by Vosloo's arco bass to lead us from a free sounding introduction to a more structured dialogue between all four musicians. Throughout its intriguing journey, the piece never loses touch with the freedom of the intro and indeed ebbs and flows, yet never meanders aimlessly, in a most satisfactory manner.
Vocalist, Brigitte Beraha, is heard on just one track, 'Starbright (for Wayne Shorter) to which she brings her distinctive style. Her calm and cerebral presence elicits a superb performance from all with fine solos from Vosloo and pianist Ross Stanley, with the leaders soprano lending a wonderful counter-melody in the closing section. It is hoped that there will be more to follow with Beraha as the offering here indicates that is, or should be, the start of a work in progress.
This is an enjoyable and thoughtful album from start to finish, and with the quartet on tour over the coming months every effort should be made to catch them if you can.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Impossible Ark
Ed Jones (tenor & soprano saxophones); Ross Stanley (piano); Riaan Vosloo (double bass); Tim Giles (drums); Brigitte Beraha (vocals)
Recorded June 2016
If Jones has garnered a reputation over the years as a hard hitting, no nonsense tenorman then with this latest release he places a strong emphasis on composition, and in doing so has produced an album that is full of delights. Yes there is the signature Ed Jones sound on both his horns, but there is also much use of contrast between light and shade, and subtle and effective use of dynamics throughout.
Keeping together the quartet formed in 2011, it is hard to believe that it has taken this long for the group to record their debut album, but it has to be said that it has been well worth the wait.
The longevity of the band coupled with extensive touring over the years has now forged a secure bond that is readily heard in this recording, operating as a single entity as opposed to simply tenor and rhythm. This has enabled Jones to be quite bold in the scope of his writing, sure that wherever the material goes, the quartet are eager to follow. And herein lies the joy in these performances.
From a compositional point of view, Jones has excelled himself with a set that is full of life and vitality. There is not a weak track to be heard across the hour plus playing time, and the music has an internal logic and cohesiveness that makes the album wholly satisfying. Opening with soprano on 'Nomadology' the saxophonist spins sinewy lines ably supported by the rhythm section, to be followed by the equally forthright 'Pandora's Box', this time on tenor.
The tenor is again used to fine effect on the only piece not composed by the leader, 'Solstice' from the pen of bassist Riaan Voosloo, a beautiful ballad that Ed Jones stamps his authority and personality all over, showing once again that he knows just how to handle slower tempos. This sits in between the two longest tracks on the album, 'Marielyst' and 'Ebb And Flow'. The former building from the drum solo that introduces the piece, into piano solo that is full of twists and turns before Ed Jones wades in at around the seven mark, with a solo that pushes the piece with and almost belligerent solo prior to easing us back into a closing theme that again builds in intensity.
'Ebb And Flow' is most aptly titled, opening with small and gentle motifs from piano and tenor sax to be joined by Vosloo's arco bass to lead us from a free sounding introduction to a more structured dialogue between all four musicians. Throughout its intriguing journey, the piece never loses touch with the freedom of the intro and indeed ebbs and flows, yet never meanders aimlessly, in a most satisfactory manner.
Vocalist, Brigitte Beraha, is heard on just one track, 'Starbright (for Wayne Shorter) to which she brings her distinctive style. Her calm and cerebral presence elicits a superb performance from all with fine solos from Vosloo and pianist Ross Stanley, with the leaders soprano lending a wonderful counter-melody in the closing section. It is hoped that there will be more to follow with Beraha as the offering here indicates that is, or should be, the start of a work in progress.
This is an enjoyable and thoughtful album from start to finish, and with the quartet on tour over the coming months every effort should be made to catch them if you can.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
