JEAN TOUSSAINT ALLSTAR 6TET - Brother Raymond
Lyte Records LR040
Jean Toussaint - tenor sax; Jason Rebello - piano; Byron Wallen -trumpet; Dennis Rollins - trombone; Andrew McCormack - piano; Alec Dankworth - bass; Daniel Casimir - bass; Mark Mondesir - drums; Troy Miller - drums; Shane Forbes - drums; Ashley Henry - piano; Williams Cumberbatch Perez - congas, percussion; Tom Dunnet - trombone; Mark Kavuma - trumpet; Tom Harrison - alto sax
Jean Toussaint is a major figure on the UK jazz scene, both as a performer and educator, and this storming release sees him heading up a variety of sextet line-ups drawn from both the established and the rising generations of UK jazz musicians. The opening ‘Abamo’, written in tribute to the outgoing US president, ties together different strands of Toussaint’s musical identity - the caribbean accents reflecting his own heritage, while the swaggering, clamorous three-horn frontline recall the early 60s band of his most famous employer, Art Blakey. Newcomers Ashley Henry and Shane Forbes take flight. ‘Doc’ is a mellow 12/8, with Byron Wallen on plaintive muted trumpet, while ‘Interlude For Idris’ has Troy Miller recreating Idris Muhammed’s ‘Poinciana’ groove while Rebello soars above. ‘Major Changes’ features the leaders’ full-voiced, throaty toned tenor over a lilting groove from Mark Mondesir, while Andrew McCormack rises to the level set by Rebello. Wallen and trombonist Rollins show how their voices are well matched to Toussaint’s own in their hip, brassy assertiveness before another young lion, Daniel Casimir, contributes his own powerful statement on bass. ‘Letters To Milena’ has a mid-tempo lope reminiscent of Wayne Shorter and Toussaint’s solo is full of allusions to the master’s oblique melodicism. ‘Brother Raymond’ has a Shorter flavour as well, with Toussaint’s arrangement utilising the three horn frontline to lush effect.
Elsewhere there are tributes to Eddie Harris, Kirk Lightsey, Stevie Wonder and Charlie Mingus. The arrangements are rich, varied, assured and executed with power and conviction; you get the sense that all the musicians involved were determined to give their very best out of respect and affection for the leader. “Interlude For Kirk’ has a joyous old-school swing that’s an all-too-brief delight, ‘Wonder Where’ has an infectiously uplifting groove that inspires a truly outstanding alto solo from Tom Harrison, full of fire and passion, and the reprise of ‘Amabo’ gives young lion Henry another chance to shine and show his Mcoy Tyner influences. A wonderful snapshot of the contemporary UK jazz community.
Reviewed by Eddie Myer
Lyte Records LR040
Jean Toussaint - tenor sax; Jason Rebello - piano; Byron Wallen -trumpet; Dennis Rollins - trombone; Andrew McCormack - piano; Alec Dankworth - bass; Daniel Casimir - bass; Mark Mondesir - drums; Troy Miller - drums; Shane Forbes - drums; Ashley Henry - piano; Williams Cumberbatch Perez - congas, percussion; Tom Dunnet - trombone; Mark Kavuma - trumpet; Tom Harrison - alto sax
Jean Toussaint is a major figure on the UK jazz scene, both as a performer and educator, and this storming release sees him heading up a variety of sextet line-ups drawn from both the established and the rising generations of UK jazz musicians. The opening ‘Abamo’, written in tribute to the outgoing US president, ties together different strands of Toussaint’s musical identity - the caribbean accents reflecting his own heritage, while the swaggering, clamorous three-horn frontline recall the early 60s band of his most famous employer, Art Blakey. Newcomers Ashley Henry and Shane Forbes take flight. ‘Doc’ is a mellow 12/8, with Byron Wallen on plaintive muted trumpet, while ‘Interlude For Idris’ has Troy Miller recreating Idris Muhammed’s ‘Poinciana’ groove while Rebello soars above. ‘Major Changes’ features the leaders’ full-voiced, throaty toned tenor over a lilting groove from Mark Mondesir, while Andrew McCormack rises to the level set by Rebello. Wallen and trombonist Rollins show how their voices are well matched to Toussaint’s own in their hip, brassy assertiveness before another young lion, Daniel Casimir, contributes his own powerful statement on bass. ‘Letters To Milena’ has a mid-tempo lope reminiscent of Wayne Shorter and Toussaint’s solo is full of allusions to the master’s oblique melodicism. ‘Brother Raymond’ has a Shorter flavour as well, with Toussaint’s arrangement utilising the three horn frontline to lush effect.
Elsewhere there are tributes to Eddie Harris, Kirk Lightsey, Stevie Wonder and Charlie Mingus. The arrangements are rich, varied, assured and executed with power and conviction; you get the sense that all the musicians involved were determined to give their very best out of respect and affection for the leader. “Interlude For Kirk’ has a joyous old-school swing that’s an all-too-brief delight, ‘Wonder Where’ has an infectiously uplifting groove that inspires a truly outstanding alto solo from Tom Harrison, full of fire and passion, and the reprise of ‘Amabo’ gives young lion Henry another chance to shine and show his Mcoy Tyner influences. A wonderful snapshot of the contemporary UK jazz community.
Reviewed by Eddie Myer
