MISHA MULLOV-ABBADO - Dream Circus
Edition - EDN1157
Misha Mullov-Abbado - double bass; James Davison - trumpet & flugelhorn; Matthew Herd - alto saxophone; Sam Rapley - tenor saxophone; Liam Dunachie - piano & Hammond organ (track 4); Scott Chapman - drums
This is the former Kenny Wheeler prize winners’ third album of wide-ranging contemporary jazz, produced by fellow bassist Jasper Høiby, and it continues to showcase the range of his talents impressively. As before, the music is rooted in the kind European jazz developed over the 70s with a distinctly British turn, recalling some of the light-touch and lyrical work of Michael Garrick or Johnny Dankworth. ‘Some Things Are Just So Simple’ starts with a solo statement from the leader’s clear, precisely articulated bass before the ensemble enter with a Vaughan Williams style folk-tinged melody with hints of bluesy phrasing, neatly summarising the way that Mullov Abbado can blend together his empathetic understanding of European classical and popular forms with the jazz tradition.
As on his previous releases, he deploys his band of outstanding players with skill, in places suggesting a much larger ensemble with a flavour of some of the great US studio bands on the swaggering horns of ‘The Famous Grouse; : arrangements are carefully organised and there’s a range of different moods on offer here, from the rumbustious burlesque quirkyness of ‘Little Astronaut’ to the pastel ballad settings of ‘Equinox’ or ‘Little Vision’. There’s a lightness of touch and playful sense of humour in evidence as well that seems to have spread to the players, and everyone seems to be having a fantastic time with the arrangements, and to have been energised to deliver some really outstanding solos - Sam Rapley on tenor delights, as does Liam Dunachie on piano, but really its unfair to single out any one contributor as everyone plays so well, and it’s in the blowing sections that the excitement really develops, as when the Mingus-style collective group wig-out on “Seven Colours’ acts a springboard for Matthew Herd’s bracingly acerbic alto sax. While those seeking anarchic energy, deep repetitive grooves, or faithful recreations of bop might want to look elsewhere, fans of contemporary big band, of top quality cutting edge playing, and of generally uplifting high quality musical creativity will find much to delight them here.
Reviewed by Eddie Myer
Edition - EDN1157
Misha Mullov-Abbado - double bass; James Davison - trumpet & flugelhorn; Matthew Herd - alto saxophone; Sam Rapley - tenor saxophone; Liam Dunachie - piano & Hammond organ (track 4); Scott Chapman - drums
This is the former Kenny Wheeler prize winners’ third album of wide-ranging contemporary jazz, produced by fellow bassist Jasper Høiby, and it continues to showcase the range of his talents impressively. As before, the music is rooted in the kind European jazz developed over the 70s with a distinctly British turn, recalling some of the light-touch and lyrical work of Michael Garrick or Johnny Dankworth. ‘Some Things Are Just So Simple’ starts with a solo statement from the leader’s clear, precisely articulated bass before the ensemble enter with a Vaughan Williams style folk-tinged melody with hints of bluesy phrasing, neatly summarising the way that Mullov Abbado can blend together his empathetic understanding of European classical and popular forms with the jazz tradition.
As on his previous releases, he deploys his band of outstanding players with skill, in places suggesting a much larger ensemble with a flavour of some of the great US studio bands on the swaggering horns of ‘The Famous Grouse; : arrangements are carefully organised and there’s a range of different moods on offer here, from the rumbustious burlesque quirkyness of ‘Little Astronaut’ to the pastel ballad settings of ‘Equinox’ or ‘Little Vision’. There’s a lightness of touch and playful sense of humour in evidence as well that seems to have spread to the players, and everyone seems to be having a fantastic time with the arrangements, and to have been energised to deliver some really outstanding solos - Sam Rapley on tenor delights, as does Liam Dunachie on piano, but really its unfair to single out any one contributor as everyone plays so well, and it’s in the blowing sections that the excitement really develops, as when the Mingus-style collective group wig-out on “Seven Colours’ acts a springboard for Matthew Herd’s bracingly acerbic alto sax. While those seeking anarchic energy, deep repetitive grooves, or faithful recreations of bop might want to look elsewhere, fans of contemporary big band, of top quality cutting edge playing, and of generally uplifting high quality musical creativity will find much to delight them here.
Reviewed by Eddie Myer
