PATCHWORK JAZZ ORCHESTRA - The Light That Shines
Spark SPARK009
James Davison, Adam Chatterton, Alex Ridout, Tom Dennis - trumpet; James Copus, George Hogg - trumpet; Kieran McLeod, Tom Green, Jamie Pimenta – trombone; Yusuf Narçin - bass trombone; Tom Smith, Sam Glaser - alto saxophone; Sam Miles, George Millard - tenor saxophone; Tom Ridout - baritone saxophone; Liam Dunachie - piano & hammond organ;
Billy Marrows - electric guitar; Misha Mullov-Abbado - double bass; Scott Chapman – drums; Gareth Lockrane - flute
This release sees the very welcome return of Patchwork Jazz Orchestra under the stewardship of Tom Green (and on his Spark label), brought to you under seemingly impossible circumstances that makes the eminent professionalism of all aspects of its production seem all the more amazing. One might think that COVID and lockdown would spell the absolute end for bands of all sizes and big bands in particular but the Patchwork crew have made full use of the affordances of digital technology to assemble this joyous album via the painstaking procedures of remote recording. First, the composer would create a click track which was sent to the rhythm section, who recorded a first draft. This was sent to lead players of each section who would record their track ahead of their colleagues. The soloists on each track would then improvise over these materials, ahead of the rhythm section re-recording their initial takes to allow for sympathetic improvising in the solo sections. The results of this complex to-and-fro are a delight: mercifully free of the smell of too much midnight oil, the tracks sound as fresh and spontaneous as on their last in-person offering. A superb cast of some of the UK’s finest young players contribute tight ensemble sections, locked, responsive rhythm tracks and too many outstanding solos to enumerate. Jaunty LA-studio flavoured opener ‘New Ansonia’ has a barnstorming statement from its composer, bassist Mullov-Abbado, and much excellent work from the alto saxes: ‘Endless Stars’ is a typically creative arrangement by Tom Green of a Fred Hersch composition: ‘If I Were A Bell’ is an unashamed uptempo big band romp that Nelson Riddle would appreciate: ‘Genmaicha’ has a notable contribution from the indefatigable Gareth Lockrane over a sophisticated samba: and ‘The Light That Shines’ has the effect of a poignant hope for better days ahead. Uplifting.
Reviewed by Eddie Myer
Spark SPARK009
James Davison, Adam Chatterton, Alex Ridout, Tom Dennis - trumpet; James Copus, George Hogg - trumpet; Kieran McLeod, Tom Green, Jamie Pimenta – trombone; Yusuf Narçin - bass trombone; Tom Smith, Sam Glaser - alto saxophone; Sam Miles, George Millard - tenor saxophone; Tom Ridout - baritone saxophone; Liam Dunachie - piano & hammond organ;
Billy Marrows - electric guitar; Misha Mullov-Abbado - double bass; Scott Chapman – drums; Gareth Lockrane - flute
This release sees the very welcome return of Patchwork Jazz Orchestra under the stewardship of Tom Green (and on his Spark label), brought to you under seemingly impossible circumstances that makes the eminent professionalism of all aspects of its production seem all the more amazing. One might think that COVID and lockdown would spell the absolute end for bands of all sizes and big bands in particular but the Patchwork crew have made full use of the affordances of digital technology to assemble this joyous album via the painstaking procedures of remote recording. First, the composer would create a click track which was sent to the rhythm section, who recorded a first draft. This was sent to lead players of each section who would record their track ahead of their colleagues. The soloists on each track would then improvise over these materials, ahead of the rhythm section re-recording their initial takes to allow for sympathetic improvising in the solo sections. The results of this complex to-and-fro are a delight: mercifully free of the smell of too much midnight oil, the tracks sound as fresh and spontaneous as on their last in-person offering. A superb cast of some of the UK’s finest young players contribute tight ensemble sections, locked, responsive rhythm tracks and too many outstanding solos to enumerate. Jaunty LA-studio flavoured opener ‘New Ansonia’ has a barnstorming statement from its composer, bassist Mullov-Abbado, and much excellent work from the alto saxes: ‘Endless Stars’ is a typically creative arrangement by Tom Green of a Fred Hersch composition: ‘If I Were A Bell’ is an unashamed uptempo big band romp that Nelson Riddle would appreciate: ‘Genmaicha’ has a notable contribution from the indefatigable Gareth Lockrane over a sophisticated samba: and ‘The Light That Shines’ has the effect of a poignant hope for better days ahead. Uplifting.
Reviewed by Eddie Myer
