SAM CROCKATT - Mells Bells
(Whirlwind Recordings - WR4681)
Sam Crockatt - Tenor Sax; Kit Downes - piano; Oli Hayhurst - bass; James Maddren - Drums
Masterly saxist Sam Crockatt’s style derives it’s punch and clarity from his admiration for such quintessential urbanites as Dexter Gordon, Joe Lovano, and especially Joe Henderson, but this album draws it’s inspiration from his re-location to the tranquil surroundings of Somerset. The contrast between the two artistic points of reference sets up some intriguing shifts of perspective. The track “Canon” opens with a tumbling melodic line evoking a simple, pastoral scene; then it sets off over a contrastingly complex pattern of shifting accents into a typically adventurous, assured exploration from Kit Downes on piano, while Crockatt’s solo switches fluidly between lyrical phrases and abstract chromaticisms. Buoyed by Oli Hayhurst and James Maddren’s superbly subtle support on bass and drums, it’s got a genuinely joyous feeling.
‘The Masterplan’ has a more obviously contemporary urban feel, the initial New Orleans-flavoured groove sounding like something John Scofield might favour. Downes shows off his versatility and some unexpected McCoy Tyner influences in his pounding left hand. ‘I Found You In The Jam” sees Hayhurst evoking the sadly missed presence of Charlie Haden in a beautifully constructed intro to a ballad whose folky melody over a free pulse is reminiscent of the kind of thing Keith Jarrett’s 1970s American Quartet specialised in. Title track “Mells Bells” is a high-energy piece of organised pandemonium that emphasises these players’ position at the cutting edge of the contemporary scene. “Breath” is a solo-less rural tone poem showcasing the band’s empathy - “ A Stroll On The Knoll” is a bluesy urban swagger. ‘Tiny Steps’ is perhaps the biggest surprise here - an airy, restrained, beautifully paced midtempo swinger, played almost in the spirit of Dexter himself, it’s perhaps the most satisfying of Crockatt’s compositions.
The album runs the gamut of contemporary styles, boldly and imaginatively executed. Crockatt has assembled an A-list band for this live-in-the-studio recording, and the levels of creativity and empathetic interplay are as high as you’d expect. A warm, detailed recording captures the nuances of to the the band’s sound, and Crockatt’s clear hard-edged tone in particular. Closing track “The Land That Time Forgot” ranges freely across a dramatic sonic landscape from urban to rural and back again, concluding this memorable journey.
Reviewed by Eddie Myer
(Whirlwind Recordings - WR4681)
Sam Crockatt - Tenor Sax; Kit Downes - piano; Oli Hayhurst - bass; James Maddren - Drums
Masterly saxist Sam Crockatt’s style derives it’s punch and clarity from his admiration for such quintessential urbanites as Dexter Gordon, Joe Lovano, and especially Joe Henderson, but this album draws it’s inspiration from his re-location to the tranquil surroundings of Somerset. The contrast between the two artistic points of reference sets up some intriguing shifts of perspective. The track “Canon” opens with a tumbling melodic line evoking a simple, pastoral scene; then it sets off over a contrastingly complex pattern of shifting accents into a typically adventurous, assured exploration from Kit Downes on piano, while Crockatt’s solo switches fluidly between lyrical phrases and abstract chromaticisms. Buoyed by Oli Hayhurst and James Maddren’s superbly subtle support on bass and drums, it’s got a genuinely joyous feeling.
‘The Masterplan’ has a more obviously contemporary urban feel, the initial New Orleans-flavoured groove sounding like something John Scofield might favour. Downes shows off his versatility and some unexpected McCoy Tyner influences in his pounding left hand. ‘I Found You In The Jam” sees Hayhurst evoking the sadly missed presence of Charlie Haden in a beautifully constructed intro to a ballad whose folky melody over a free pulse is reminiscent of the kind of thing Keith Jarrett’s 1970s American Quartet specialised in. Title track “Mells Bells” is a high-energy piece of organised pandemonium that emphasises these players’ position at the cutting edge of the contemporary scene. “Breath” is a solo-less rural tone poem showcasing the band’s empathy - “ A Stroll On The Knoll” is a bluesy urban swagger. ‘Tiny Steps’ is perhaps the biggest surprise here - an airy, restrained, beautifully paced midtempo swinger, played almost in the spirit of Dexter himself, it’s perhaps the most satisfying of Crockatt’s compositions.
The album runs the gamut of contemporary styles, boldly and imaginatively executed. Crockatt has assembled an A-list band for this live-in-the-studio recording, and the levels of creativity and empathetic interplay are as high as you’d expect. A warm, detailed recording captures the nuances of to the the band’s sound, and Crockatt’s clear hard-edged tone in particular. Closing track “The Land That Time Forgot” ranges freely across a dramatic sonic landscape from urban to rural and back again, concluding this memorable journey.
Reviewed by Eddie Myer
