GARY ALESBROOK - The Stories We Tell Ourselves
Self Release
Gary Alesbrook (trumpet, flugelhorn); Anders Olinder (piano); Adam King (double bass); Ian Matthews (drums)
also featuring
Raul Midón, Elliott Cole, Phoebe Jane, Victoria Klewin, Phil King (vocals); Matt Hopkins (guitar); Ruth Hammond (tenor saxophone)
This is trumpeter Gary Alesbrook's second outing as leader, following up last years highly impressive debut Jazz In Movies. This time around he has not looked for a theme to hang the album on but instead presented a set of all original music. A dangerous ploy maybe, but one that Alesbrook pulls off with no little aplomb.
Sticking very much to jazz idiom of the fifties and sixties, Alesbrook has a nice line in melodic and rhythmic hook that make his compositions fit in well with his chosen style of jazz, and stand up in their own right as good solid compositions rather just a theme prior to setting up solos all round, and out. These thoughtful pieces are then given fine interpretations that generate a quiet excitement that repays the attention of the listener and repeated hearings.
The material is neatly divided between instrumental tracks and those that feature vocals in a 50/50 split, and whilst the rhythm section is completely different from the debut, he has retained the services of Elliott Cole and Phil King on vocal duties from the earlier set, and both do their stuff admirably. Cole is up first on a jaunty and upbeat 'Key Lime Pie' with Gary's lovely trumpet in support, while King is heard on 'Fallen Star', a superb ballad that sounds like something that Chet Baker would have enjoyed singing, with Alesbrook this time on flugel with a rich warm sound that compliments the vocal perfectly. Of the other vocal tracks Phoebe Jane sings with a sense of poignancy and innocence on the attractive 'Going Home' which is not quite captured on Cole's second song in duet with 'My First Love'; and special guest Raul Midón fails to impress on 'Precious One' which never really seems to get going.
For this listener, at least, it is the instrumental tracks that pack the most punch and catch the trumpeter at his best. As I mentioned earlier, the songs are perfectly and skillfully crafted, and Alesbrook is able to bring his wonderful tone on both trumpet and flugel to the fore. His solos never lose sight of the tune, and a has sense of logic and natural narrative in the way his improvisations are allowed to develop.
'For Louis' is therefore a perfect opening number, with Alesbrook's use of the cup mute is used to fine effect. The rhythm section swing hard, and pianist, Anders Olinder also gets in a nice solo.'Anna' is another of those heart melting and tender ballads that the trumpeter appears to have a knack of writing, and the band swing mightily again on 'Just One More Thing' with guest Matt Hopkins in fine fettle on his fleet fingered solo.
Another string to Gary Alesbrook's bow is the neatly compact and nimble arrangement for a quintet with tenor saxophonist, Ruth Hammond, heard on 'On My Way' and the closer, 'Last Orders', where the trumpeter's arrangements have a deceptive simplicity that on closer listening reveal a depth to the sound that is most satisfying. So, in summary this is another fine and enjoyable set that sits comfortably alongside the earlier recording. It may also serve to open up further avenues for Alesbrook that may be lucrative as with the right vocalist, his compositions and superb sense of accompaniment to the lyric is something special, and with such a charismatic sound on both horns hearing him with a larger band would also be quite a treat.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Self Release
Gary Alesbrook (trumpet, flugelhorn); Anders Olinder (piano); Adam King (double bass); Ian Matthews (drums)
also featuring
Raul Midón, Elliott Cole, Phoebe Jane, Victoria Klewin, Phil King (vocals); Matt Hopkins (guitar); Ruth Hammond (tenor saxophone)
This is trumpeter Gary Alesbrook's second outing as leader, following up last years highly impressive debut Jazz In Movies. This time around he has not looked for a theme to hang the album on but instead presented a set of all original music. A dangerous ploy maybe, but one that Alesbrook pulls off with no little aplomb.
Sticking very much to jazz idiom of the fifties and sixties, Alesbrook has a nice line in melodic and rhythmic hook that make his compositions fit in well with his chosen style of jazz, and stand up in their own right as good solid compositions rather just a theme prior to setting up solos all round, and out. These thoughtful pieces are then given fine interpretations that generate a quiet excitement that repays the attention of the listener and repeated hearings.
The material is neatly divided between instrumental tracks and those that feature vocals in a 50/50 split, and whilst the rhythm section is completely different from the debut, he has retained the services of Elliott Cole and Phil King on vocal duties from the earlier set, and both do their stuff admirably. Cole is up first on a jaunty and upbeat 'Key Lime Pie' with Gary's lovely trumpet in support, while King is heard on 'Fallen Star', a superb ballad that sounds like something that Chet Baker would have enjoyed singing, with Alesbrook this time on flugel with a rich warm sound that compliments the vocal perfectly. Of the other vocal tracks Phoebe Jane sings with a sense of poignancy and innocence on the attractive 'Going Home' which is not quite captured on Cole's second song in duet with 'My First Love'; and special guest Raul Midón fails to impress on 'Precious One' which never really seems to get going.
For this listener, at least, it is the instrumental tracks that pack the most punch and catch the trumpeter at his best. As I mentioned earlier, the songs are perfectly and skillfully crafted, and Alesbrook is able to bring his wonderful tone on both trumpet and flugel to the fore. His solos never lose sight of the tune, and a has sense of logic and natural narrative in the way his improvisations are allowed to develop.
'For Louis' is therefore a perfect opening number, with Alesbrook's use of the cup mute is used to fine effect. The rhythm section swing hard, and pianist, Anders Olinder also gets in a nice solo.'Anna' is another of those heart melting and tender ballads that the trumpeter appears to have a knack of writing, and the band swing mightily again on 'Just One More Thing' with guest Matt Hopkins in fine fettle on his fleet fingered solo.
Another string to Gary Alesbrook's bow is the neatly compact and nimble arrangement for a quintet with tenor saxophonist, Ruth Hammond, heard on 'On My Way' and the closer, 'Last Orders', where the trumpeter's arrangements have a deceptive simplicity that on closer listening reveal a depth to the sound that is most satisfying. So, in summary this is another fine and enjoyable set that sits comfortably alongside the earlier recording. It may also serve to open up further avenues for Alesbrook that may be lucrative as with the right vocalist, his compositions and superb sense of accompaniment to the lyric is something special, and with such a charismatic sound on both horns hearing him with a larger band would also be quite a treat.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
