KATE WESTBROOK - Granite
Westbrook Records WR003
Kate Westbrook (voice, whistling); Roz Hardings (saxophones); Jesse Molins (guitar); Matthew North (guitar); Mike Westbrook (piano); Billie Bottle (bass guitar); Coach York (drums)
Recorded March/April 2018
The music of Kate and Mike Westbrook has been a mainstay of the British scene for more years than most of us care to remember, and over this time have produced much exciting and adventurous music. My first time of hearing the couple in their trio that also featured saxophonist Chris Biscoe was at a small venue in Cardiff in March 1989. Billed as A Little Westbrook Music as "an evening that effortlessly links the popular music of the 'thirties and 'forties with jazz, classical music and the poetry of Blake and Rimbaud", I remember leaving rather confused, bewildered and not sure if I had actually liked much of what I had heard.
Since that initial encounter, I have come to thoroughly enjoy the music of this rather unique and eccentric musical couple, whose music never ceases to captivate and enthrall, and more often than not question and challenge my perceived listening preferences, and all these years later this remains the case as with Kate's latest album. And herein lies the rub, as this is just as much Mike's album as his wife's and should be viewed as another fine collaborative effort.
Mike Westbrook came to to prominence as the leader and arranger of one of the UKs most forward thinking big bands, producing some classic albums along the way. In addition he has also been able to bring this unique sense of orchestration to smaller ensembles as in the aforementioned Westbrook Trio, and in recent years the superb quartet that recorded the superb Art Wolf album.
This new album finds the Westbrook's continuing the work started on the double album, A Bigger Show - Live, with The Uncommon Orchestra and retaining the services of many of the core band in this smaller ensemble. When listening to Granite, Kate's words and inimitable style are stamped all over the set. Equally so is the writing and arranging of Mike, and although the big band instrumentation up with which he made his reputation is long gone the arrangements for a scaled down contemporary band incorporating electric guitars and bass guitar, with a lone wind instrument, he writes like nobody else.
The music is often a complex, sometimes dense juxtaposition of musical styles amassed over a lifetimes experience. Perhaps with Kate and the use of electric instruments replacing the traditional horn section has freed up the writing process, and in looking for fresh ways to arrange for a new ensemble has sparked a new creative spate for the veteran arranger.
The resulting album once again, as both Kate and Mike have done in the past and I'm sure will continue to so, will shake up the complacent listener and indeed make all sit up and take notice of their ongoing music journey. Don't be dragged along in their wake, but ensure that you are a willing participant and the music will not disappoint.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Westbrook Records WR003
Kate Westbrook (voice, whistling); Roz Hardings (saxophones); Jesse Molins (guitar); Matthew North (guitar); Mike Westbrook (piano); Billie Bottle (bass guitar); Coach York (drums)
Recorded March/April 2018
The music of Kate and Mike Westbrook has been a mainstay of the British scene for more years than most of us care to remember, and over this time have produced much exciting and adventurous music. My first time of hearing the couple in their trio that also featured saxophonist Chris Biscoe was at a small venue in Cardiff in March 1989. Billed as A Little Westbrook Music as "an evening that effortlessly links the popular music of the 'thirties and 'forties with jazz, classical music and the poetry of Blake and Rimbaud", I remember leaving rather confused, bewildered and not sure if I had actually liked much of what I had heard.
Since that initial encounter, I have come to thoroughly enjoy the music of this rather unique and eccentric musical couple, whose music never ceases to captivate and enthrall, and more often than not question and challenge my perceived listening preferences, and all these years later this remains the case as with Kate's latest album. And herein lies the rub, as this is just as much Mike's album as his wife's and should be viewed as another fine collaborative effort.
Mike Westbrook came to to prominence as the leader and arranger of one of the UKs most forward thinking big bands, producing some classic albums along the way. In addition he has also been able to bring this unique sense of orchestration to smaller ensembles as in the aforementioned Westbrook Trio, and in recent years the superb quartet that recorded the superb Art Wolf album.
This new album finds the Westbrook's continuing the work started on the double album, A Bigger Show - Live, with The Uncommon Orchestra and retaining the services of many of the core band in this smaller ensemble. When listening to Granite, Kate's words and inimitable style are stamped all over the set. Equally so is the writing and arranging of Mike, and although the big band instrumentation up with which he made his reputation is long gone the arrangements for a scaled down contemporary band incorporating electric guitars and bass guitar, with a lone wind instrument, he writes like nobody else.
The music is often a complex, sometimes dense juxtaposition of musical styles amassed over a lifetimes experience. Perhaps with Kate and the use of electric instruments replacing the traditional horn section has freed up the writing process, and in looking for fresh ways to arrange for a new ensemble has sparked a new creative spate for the veteran arranger.
The resulting album once again, as both Kate and Mike have done in the past and I'm sure will continue to so, will shake up the complacent listener and indeed make all sit up and take notice of their ongoing music journey. Don't be dragged along in their wake, but ensure that you are a willing participant and the music will not disappoint.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
