TINI THOMSEN'S MAXSAX - Shift
339 Records TTNCD-008
Tini Thomsen (baritone saxophone); Nigel Hitchcock (alto saxophone); Tom Trapp (guitar); Mark Hanstraa (bass); Joost Kroon (drums); Miles Bould (percussion on tr.8)
A completely different proposition from the Q4 album, Uphill Struggle featuring a saxophone quartet that was reviewed by Eddie Myer, this is a fantastic listen from baritone saxophonist, Tini Thomsen and one that is guaranteed to blow the blues away. Thomsen likes to play with energy and conviction and makes little compromise when doing so. She revels in the big baritone sound, and that is what you get, big booting lines from the bottom and middle registers of the horn, punchy melodies and riffs, and solos that grab the attention and demand to be heard.
Having said that, there are also strong melodies abound to match the tough playing, and a wide range of dynamics employed by the quintet. As I'm sure you will have gathered by now, this is not your usual straight ahead jazz album. MaxSax are a jazz rock outfit that incorporate the best of both worlds. At times employing a rock solid beat that can also alternate with a deep seated swing feel, Tini and her cohorts deliver a set that is full of fire, yet maintains an air of control and memorable compositions that linger in the mind. The band play with an authority that defies anyone to dismiss them out of hand, and very quickly they will have you eating out of theirs.
This is a wonderfully judged set that ensure that the quintet never display all they have to offer in one serving. All the tracks differ greatly from the out and out rock of 'Big Boys' and 'Bitter Sweet Harmony' that evolves into a gentle percussion motif for Tini to solo over, and the sancitfied blues of 'The Gospel Song' featuring impassioned sermons from Nigel Hitchcock's alto sax and the leader's baritone.
The whole album is pretty much a no holds barred assault on the senses, not in terms of intensity or volume, but purely based on the ebullience of the band and the material they play. Their intent to excite and stimulate is made abundantly clear from the opening 'King Of Diamonds' with its driving rhythms that provide a solid support for solos from both saxophonists, and the relaxed groove of 'Happy Segment Day' which has some wonderful unison passages for baritone and alto that are superbly integrated with the rhythm section
The album is chock full of great sax riffs, rhythmic hooks, and rock solid grooves that will drag the listener along in the band's wake, and most likely not kicking and screaming but simply revelling in the melange of sound and melody that is Tini Thomsen and MaxSax.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
339 Records TTNCD-008
Tini Thomsen (baritone saxophone); Nigel Hitchcock (alto saxophone); Tom Trapp (guitar); Mark Hanstraa (bass); Joost Kroon (drums); Miles Bould (percussion on tr.8)
A completely different proposition from the Q4 album, Uphill Struggle featuring a saxophone quartet that was reviewed by Eddie Myer, this is a fantastic listen from baritone saxophonist, Tini Thomsen and one that is guaranteed to blow the blues away. Thomsen likes to play with energy and conviction and makes little compromise when doing so. She revels in the big baritone sound, and that is what you get, big booting lines from the bottom and middle registers of the horn, punchy melodies and riffs, and solos that grab the attention and demand to be heard.
Having said that, there are also strong melodies abound to match the tough playing, and a wide range of dynamics employed by the quintet. As I'm sure you will have gathered by now, this is not your usual straight ahead jazz album. MaxSax are a jazz rock outfit that incorporate the best of both worlds. At times employing a rock solid beat that can also alternate with a deep seated swing feel, Tini and her cohorts deliver a set that is full of fire, yet maintains an air of control and memorable compositions that linger in the mind. The band play with an authority that defies anyone to dismiss them out of hand, and very quickly they will have you eating out of theirs.
This is a wonderfully judged set that ensure that the quintet never display all they have to offer in one serving. All the tracks differ greatly from the out and out rock of 'Big Boys' and 'Bitter Sweet Harmony' that evolves into a gentle percussion motif for Tini to solo over, and the sancitfied blues of 'The Gospel Song' featuring impassioned sermons from Nigel Hitchcock's alto sax and the leader's baritone.
The whole album is pretty much a no holds barred assault on the senses, not in terms of intensity or volume, but purely based on the ebullience of the band and the material they play. Their intent to excite and stimulate is made abundantly clear from the opening 'King Of Diamonds' with its driving rhythms that provide a solid support for solos from both saxophonists, and the relaxed groove of 'Happy Segment Day' which has some wonderful unison passages for baritone and alto that are superbly integrated with the rhythm section
The album is chock full of great sax riffs, rhythmic hooks, and rock solid grooves that will drag the listener along in the band's wake, and most likely not kicking and screaming but simply revelling in the melange of sound and melody that is Tini Thomsen and MaxSax.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
