TOM REMON QUARTET - Eagle Peak
Lunaria Records LUNA-0011
Tom Remon (guitar); Laurence Wilkins (trumpet); Mike Gorman (organ); Shaney Forbes (drums)
Recorded 15 May & 8 August, 2021
After challenging himself with his debut album for Lunaria Records with a duet album with the formidable Jim Mullen on Duality, the guitarist places himself in a rather more friendly environment with a quartet of organ, guitar and drums with trumpet s the frontline horn. In an accomplished set, Remon demonstrates how far his music has come, and where his strengths lie. Throughout this invigorating album, the guitarist is front and centre, not just with some interesting solos but also in his accompaniment which is impressive to say the least. Wherever hi is in the music and any given moment, he never overplays. Giving solid support to his colleagues he receives nothing less in return, and this makes for some exhilarating music.
With a few standards and imaginative originals the four musician have plenty to get there teeth into, and indeed sound if they are enjoying every moment. Kicking off with 'Anton's Ball' by Bobby Hutcherson sets the tone nicely for what is to follow. Straight off, trumpeter, Laurence Wilkins impresses with a nice full round sound, and the chops to carve out some lovely melodic solos.
Mike Gorman has been a stalwart of the scene for quite some considerable time, and it is always a pleasure to hear him play, whether on piano or organ he always has some thing interesting to contribute, while drummer Shaney Forbes stokes the fire with impeccable taste. Here him keep the band on their collective toes with this playing on Donald Byrd's 'Fly Little Bird Fly', totally assured and never pushing too hard.
Of the originals, Mike Gorman solos authoritatively on his own attractive composition, 'When I Grow Up' which also elicits a fine solo from Remon. But is the guitarist who gets compositional credits on four of the eight pieces performed. Remon has a knack of writing some good catchy tunes. One such composition is the title track, 'Eagle Peak' which rubs along at a brisk tempo with an insistent opening theme statement that sets everyone on fire with splendid solos from firstly trumpeter, Wilkins, to be followed by the leader's lithe lines and a real burner from Mike Gorman.
Also deserving of a mention is 'One Eternal Bond' for the trio, sans trumpet, in which Forbes gets the opening moments to himself in a fine introduction and sets the tempo at a nice medium stroll. The tempo suites all, as once again Mike Gorman stretches out on a perhaps his best solo of the album. Not to be outdone, Remon also shines on this track, his lines flowing melodically and never hurried.
All in all, an enjoyable hour of swinging jazz.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Lunaria Records LUNA-0011
Tom Remon (guitar); Laurence Wilkins (trumpet); Mike Gorman (organ); Shaney Forbes (drums)
Recorded 15 May & 8 August, 2021
After challenging himself with his debut album for Lunaria Records with a duet album with the formidable Jim Mullen on Duality, the guitarist places himself in a rather more friendly environment with a quartet of organ, guitar and drums with trumpet s the frontline horn. In an accomplished set, Remon demonstrates how far his music has come, and where his strengths lie. Throughout this invigorating album, the guitarist is front and centre, not just with some interesting solos but also in his accompaniment which is impressive to say the least. Wherever hi is in the music and any given moment, he never overplays. Giving solid support to his colleagues he receives nothing less in return, and this makes for some exhilarating music.
With a few standards and imaginative originals the four musician have plenty to get there teeth into, and indeed sound if they are enjoying every moment. Kicking off with 'Anton's Ball' by Bobby Hutcherson sets the tone nicely for what is to follow. Straight off, trumpeter, Laurence Wilkins impresses with a nice full round sound, and the chops to carve out some lovely melodic solos.
Mike Gorman has been a stalwart of the scene for quite some considerable time, and it is always a pleasure to hear him play, whether on piano or organ he always has some thing interesting to contribute, while drummer Shaney Forbes stokes the fire with impeccable taste. Here him keep the band on their collective toes with this playing on Donald Byrd's 'Fly Little Bird Fly', totally assured and never pushing too hard.
Of the originals, Mike Gorman solos authoritatively on his own attractive composition, 'When I Grow Up' which also elicits a fine solo from Remon. But is the guitarist who gets compositional credits on four of the eight pieces performed. Remon has a knack of writing some good catchy tunes. One such composition is the title track, 'Eagle Peak' which rubs along at a brisk tempo with an insistent opening theme statement that sets everyone on fire with splendid solos from firstly trumpeter, Wilkins, to be followed by the leader's lithe lines and a real burner from Mike Gorman.
Also deserving of a mention is 'One Eternal Bond' for the trio, sans trumpet, in which Forbes gets the opening moments to himself in a fine introduction and sets the tempo at a nice medium stroll. The tempo suites all, as once again Mike Gorman stretches out on a perhaps his best solo of the album. Not to be outdone, Remon also shines on this track, his lines flowing melodically and never hurried.
All in all, an enjoyable hour of swinging jazz.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
