TOM REMON & JIM MULLEN - Duality
Lunaria Records LR 0004
Tom Remon (guitar) Jim Mullen (guitar) Recorded in London, 4th August 2020
Here is a case where the Shakespearean cautionary about the incompatibility of youth and age has no currency. Lunaria Records, an enterprising outfit committed to bringing young, aspiring talent to market, have teamed the youthful, recently graduated Remon in duet with non-other than Jim Mullen who -just in case there is anyone who does’nt know it – is the most celebrated and highly regarded British jazz guitarist of his generation. A veteran fusionist he has in more recent years become a purveyor of solid, straight ahead bop oriented jazz of the Wes Montgomery persuasion with a warm, soft focus sound that concedes nothing in terms of virility and acts as a pleasing harmonic foil to the more taut treble effect produced by his young acolyte. In contrast, Remon, who is patently aware of his jazz antecedents, plays in style that is clearly out of Charlie Christian, by way of Barney Kessel and Jim Hall, spinning lines of scintillating clarity with few, if any, post-bop, jazz rock or fusion references.
Together they make their way through an attractive set of songbook and jazz standards, to which Remon contributes a trio of resourceful original compositions, opening with a sprightly `East of the Sun` and finishing with a nimble fugal chase fashioned out of `You and The Night and The Music`. Mullen’s luminous comping underpins most of the pieces but if my ears haven’t betrayed me his is the dominant voice in a sultry version of `Like Someone in Love` which displays his characteristic thumb rendered vibrancy.
It was brave of young Remon to go up against a player of Mullen’s experience and reputation and although his articulation and poise can’t yet match that of his mentor, make no mistake ,this is far from being a tyro effort. His performance is indicative of great potential, a talent deserving of our respect and support, moreover one that is sure to yield excellence in the fullness of time. So congratulations to Lunaria for bringing him to our attention but what a pity they couldn’t have graced the CD with more attractive artwork and perhaps a picture of the pair in action.
Reviewed by Euan Dixon
Lunaria Records LR 0004
Tom Remon (guitar) Jim Mullen (guitar) Recorded in London, 4th August 2020
Here is a case where the Shakespearean cautionary about the incompatibility of youth and age has no currency. Lunaria Records, an enterprising outfit committed to bringing young, aspiring talent to market, have teamed the youthful, recently graduated Remon in duet with non-other than Jim Mullen who -just in case there is anyone who does’nt know it – is the most celebrated and highly regarded British jazz guitarist of his generation. A veteran fusionist he has in more recent years become a purveyor of solid, straight ahead bop oriented jazz of the Wes Montgomery persuasion with a warm, soft focus sound that concedes nothing in terms of virility and acts as a pleasing harmonic foil to the more taut treble effect produced by his young acolyte. In contrast, Remon, who is patently aware of his jazz antecedents, plays in style that is clearly out of Charlie Christian, by way of Barney Kessel and Jim Hall, spinning lines of scintillating clarity with few, if any, post-bop, jazz rock or fusion references.
Together they make their way through an attractive set of songbook and jazz standards, to which Remon contributes a trio of resourceful original compositions, opening with a sprightly `East of the Sun` and finishing with a nimble fugal chase fashioned out of `You and The Night and The Music`. Mullen’s luminous comping underpins most of the pieces but if my ears haven’t betrayed me his is the dominant voice in a sultry version of `Like Someone in Love` which displays his characteristic thumb rendered vibrancy.
It was brave of young Remon to go up against a player of Mullen’s experience and reputation and although his articulation and poise can’t yet match that of his mentor, make no mistake ,this is far from being a tyro effort. His performance is indicative of great potential, a talent deserving of our respect and support, moreover one that is sure to yield excellence in the fullness of time. So congratulations to Lunaria for bringing him to our attention but what a pity they couldn’t have graced the CD with more attractive artwork and perhaps a picture of the pair in action.
Reviewed by Euan Dixon
