SEAN GIBBS - When Can I See You Again?
Ubuntu Music – UBU0083
Sean Gibbs - trumpet; Riley Stone-Lonergan - tenor sax; Rob Brockway - piano; Calum Gourlay - bass; Jay Davis - drums
Sean Gibbs grew up in Edinburgh playing with ensembles such as The Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra and The National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland, graduated from the jazz course at Birmingham Conservatoire with first class honours in 2015, and is thoroughly involved with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra both as a player and as a composer, so you’d expect him to be something of a whiz at contemporary jazz: and this debut album swiftly confirms those expectations. Gibbs works out of the tradition established by the Blue Note sound of the 1960s, as the foundations of hard bop were being stretched, thoroughly updated for contemporary relevance. “Internal Conflict” has a hip 12/8 groove and a minor key bluesy modal feel that reaches back to the sound of Lee Morgan’s later records, and Gibb’s soloing is as confident and assured as you could wish for. He combines an attractively light tone with superbly accurate articulation, and a certain poise and restraint that tends more towards the Miles school and contrasts with tenor man Riley Stone-Lonergan’s explosive assertions. ‘Happy Hour’ has an Abdullah Ibrahim township lilt, and ‘Mary’ is a beautifully delivered ballad that contrasts Gibbs’ clear, emotive delivery with the dark woody tones of Calum Gourlay’s bass to enchanting effect. Jay Davis provides exemplary support on the driving post-bop of ‘The Grand Parade’ as Stone-Lonergan demonstrates his effortless ability to distil advanced harmony into memorable melody - his soloing throughout is consistently ear-catching, as are the comping and concise solo contributions from Rob Brockway. “When Can I See You Again” combines a gospelly uplift with Gibb’s innate melancholy to provide a bittersweet comment on the human connections we’ve all been missing. Altogether a delight.
Reviewed by Eddie Myer
Ubuntu Music – UBU0083
Sean Gibbs - trumpet; Riley Stone-Lonergan - tenor sax; Rob Brockway - piano; Calum Gourlay - bass; Jay Davis - drums
Sean Gibbs grew up in Edinburgh playing with ensembles such as The Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra and The National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland, graduated from the jazz course at Birmingham Conservatoire with first class honours in 2015, and is thoroughly involved with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra both as a player and as a composer, so you’d expect him to be something of a whiz at contemporary jazz: and this debut album swiftly confirms those expectations. Gibbs works out of the tradition established by the Blue Note sound of the 1960s, as the foundations of hard bop were being stretched, thoroughly updated for contemporary relevance. “Internal Conflict” has a hip 12/8 groove and a minor key bluesy modal feel that reaches back to the sound of Lee Morgan’s later records, and Gibb’s soloing is as confident and assured as you could wish for. He combines an attractively light tone with superbly accurate articulation, and a certain poise and restraint that tends more towards the Miles school and contrasts with tenor man Riley Stone-Lonergan’s explosive assertions. ‘Happy Hour’ has an Abdullah Ibrahim township lilt, and ‘Mary’ is a beautifully delivered ballad that contrasts Gibbs’ clear, emotive delivery with the dark woody tones of Calum Gourlay’s bass to enchanting effect. Jay Davis provides exemplary support on the driving post-bop of ‘The Grand Parade’ as Stone-Lonergan demonstrates his effortless ability to distil advanced harmony into memorable melody - his soloing throughout is consistently ear-catching, as are the comping and concise solo contributions from Rob Brockway. “When Can I See You Again” combines a gospelly uplift with Gibb’s innate melancholy to provide a bittersweet comment on the human connections we’ve all been missing. Altogether a delight.
Reviewed by Eddie Myer
