WILD CARD - Beast from the East
Top End TER005CD
Clement Regert - guitar; Andrew Noble - organ and bass box; Sophie Alloway - drums
Additional personnel:
Jim Knight - alto sax (track 5,8,9); Duncan Eagles - tenor sax (track1, 3,6); Will Fry - percussion (tracks 5,8,9,11); Joao Caetano - percussion (tracks 1,3); Alistair White- trombone (track 11);
Denyse Baptist - tenor sax (track 11); Barnaby Dickenson - trombone (track 2,4,7,10); Tim Garland - sax (tracks 2,4,7); Rosie Turton - trombone (tracks 1,3,6); Imaani vocal (track 7); Adam Glasser - harmonica (track 5); Emilia Martensson - vocals (track 1)
Following the success of the critically acclaimed “Life stories”, Clément Régert's Wild Card have recorded their new album Beast From The East featuring a signature blend of tuneful numbers with a wide variety of hard-bop, Afro/Samba & raw funk grooves that has made them so popular on the UK and European Jazz scene in the last few years.
Recordings were made over 3 sessions and there are no overdubs apart form a few percussive additions. All the musicians were in the same studio at the same time for an 'almost live' feel.
The Wild Card trio of French guitar player/band leader Clement Regert, Australian organist Andrew Noble and drummer Sophie Alloway were joined for those occasions by a wealth of guest musicians. These include Grammy award winner saxophonist Tim Garland (Ronnie Scott, Chick Corea), saxophonist Duncan Eagle (Partikel), trombonists Rosie Turton (Nerija), Alistair White (Billy Cobham) & Barnaby Dickinson (London horns, Guy Barker), Swedish vocalist Emilia Martensson (Kairos 4tet), soul/funk songstress Imaani (Incognito), South African Harmonica virtuoso Adam Glasser (Sting, Hugh Masekela), Portuguese Percussionist Joao Caetano (Incognito, Citrus sun), Will Fry (The Lion King musical, Roy Ayers and regulars colaborators with Wild Card, multi-award winning saxophonist Denys Baptiste (McCoy Tyner), trumpet virtuoso Graeme Flowers (Manu Katche) and fiery alto saxophonist Jim Knight (CeeLo Green).
'The Saga of Harrison Crabfeathers' opens with a beautiful guitar intro and features the gentle vocals of Emilia Martensson before the number erupts with a flurry of sound and licks along at a revised tempo, with solid backing from Duncan Eagles' sax and Rosie Turton's trombone adding depth. The tenor sax solo is challenging and engaging, whilst the solid powerhouse which is the ensemble in this number is steadfast. Joao Caetano's strong percussion adds a strength under the sweetness of the voice.
'Beast From The East' is a strong track with Tim Garland's tenor introducing the theme which is held rhythmically throughout the track. Graeme Flowers on trumpet and Barnaby Dickenson on trombone excel on this track and it builds into a vehicle for the entire band to showcase and strut their individual and collective inventiveness, at times in almost orchestral arrangements. The simple yet mesmeric theme returns strongly in the final section before the track ascends and builds in volume and strength towards the dynamic finish.
'Tales From Hanoi' starts with a trumpet solo creating an Eastern feel before the band come in with a swinging Latin rhythm, creating images of swirling, shape forming, musical colours infused with a strong percussive line. An organ solo from Andrew Noble is fast, free-wheeling and up-beat, emphasising the joyous outpouring of this track and the percussion from Joao Caetano is simply divine.
'Black Tower' was written in memory of the Grenfell tower tragedy and opens with a strong statement from the brass section before a steady, relentless rhythm builds. The track has a dark restlessness to it and an angry energy in its depths. Clement Regert's guitar is melodic over the keys and horns. There is a lovely interlude with guitar and brass echoing the rhythms set. Some great harmonies from the horn section build to a guitar and drum interlude before the brass again make their statements. Clement Regert gives a gentle, emotive guitar solo and the sax solo over bass from Tim Garland is poignant, emotive and carries such a range of emotive changes, it is redolent of lives lost, lives saved and lives changed. The final section has a sense of rising energy in its depths and escape - maybe a sense of re-building. A well worked and poignant number with dark, brooding energy.
'Do It Like A Girl' is a contrast with a sassy feel, the continental sense of perhaps a Parisian stroll enhanced by the sensuous harmonica of Adam Glasser over the walking, swung beat of the rest of the band, emphasised by the bass box added by Andrew Noble. There is attitude here along with a sweetness and allure.
'Doctor K' is a reeling, rolling number, very 1960s with a Spanish- influenced solo from guitar, some inventive drumming from Sophia Alloway and a laid back but challenging trombone solo from Rosie Turton which assails the ears in a great manner. The final section with full ensemble is several sets of loveliness.
' The Struggle' is a well worked number, the band supporting the gorgeous soul-rock vocals of Imaani who brings a sultry essence to the track. The beautiful, expressive, driven solo from Tim Garland is a joy and again the left hand of Andrew Noble provides a steady deep bass line.
' Asparagus Moment II' is quirky, imaginative and includes lots of rhythmic and tempo changes and developments which make the short number both attractive and a rather cute listen as its cleverness is underpinned by its innovative and characterful delivery. The percussion lines are something else on this track and Jim Knight's alto sax delivers a powerful and masterful solo across the top.
' L'Empire des Anges' is a rhythmic, swung out number which features Will Fry on percussion and Jim Knight on alto sax. It is a powerful track stuffed full of energy which threatens to explode at times. The trumpet over the relentless percussion is enjoyable and resolute.
'Screen Walkers' has a big band feel and a classy, stylish delivery. The sounds are big, the arrangement clever and makes use of everyone on the number. From the organ solo, delivered whilst maintaining a driving bass line from the box, to the subtle but clever and relentless percussion, to the brass and wood solos, this is a short, sweet and provocative track with stand out trumpet and trombone.
'Papa Was A Rolling Stone' is just darn gorgeous and delivered with a mesmeric counter-beat between drums and organ, which drives the whole opening section, before the brass and woods enhance the familiar theme. The trombone on this track is outstanding and the track is funky, up-beat and pretty much divine.
What is great about this music is how the band swap and change in terms of atmosphere, intensity and drive. Each member of the trio plus guests finds a place in which to shine and are freely allowed to do so. Whether your thing is swing, energy, whether you like driving rhythms or emotive, stylish lines, there is something here for everyone and the CD is an enjoyable and classy creation.
Reviewed by Sammy Stein
Top End TER005CD
Clement Regert - guitar; Andrew Noble - organ and bass box; Sophie Alloway - drums
Additional personnel:
Jim Knight - alto sax (track 5,8,9); Duncan Eagles - tenor sax (track1, 3,6); Will Fry - percussion (tracks 5,8,9,11); Joao Caetano - percussion (tracks 1,3); Alistair White- trombone (track 11);
Denyse Baptist - tenor sax (track 11); Barnaby Dickenson - trombone (track 2,4,7,10); Tim Garland - sax (tracks 2,4,7); Rosie Turton - trombone (tracks 1,3,6); Imaani vocal (track 7); Adam Glasser - harmonica (track 5); Emilia Martensson - vocals (track 1)
Following the success of the critically acclaimed “Life stories”, Clément Régert's Wild Card have recorded their new album Beast From The East featuring a signature blend of tuneful numbers with a wide variety of hard-bop, Afro/Samba & raw funk grooves that has made them so popular on the UK and European Jazz scene in the last few years.
Recordings were made over 3 sessions and there are no overdubs apart form a few percussive additions. All the musicians were in the same studio at the same time for an 'almost live' feel.
The Wild Card trio of French guitar player/band leader Clement Regert, Australian organist Andrew Noble and drummer Sophie Alloway were joined for those occasions by a wealth of guest musicians. These include Grammy award winner saxophonist Tim Garland (Ronnie Scott, Chick Corea), saxophonist Duncan Eagle (Partikel), trombonists Rosie Turton (Nerija), Alistair White (Billy Cobham) & Barnaby Dickinson (London horns, Guy Barker), Swedish vocalist Emilia Martensson (Kairos 4tet), soul/funk songstress Imaani (Incognito), South African Harmonica virtuoso Adam Glasser (Sting, Hugh Masekela), Portuguese Percussionist Joao Caetano (Incognito, Citrus sun), Will Fry (The Lion King musical, Roy Ayers and regulars colaborators with Wild Card, multi-award winning saxophonist Denys Baptiste (McCoy Tyner), trumpet virtuoso Graeme Flowers (Manu Katche) and fiery alto saxophonist Jim Knight (CeeLo Green).
'The Saga of Harrison Crabfeathers' opens with a beautiful guitar intro and features the gentle vocals of Emilia Martensson before the number erupts with a flurry of sound and licks along at a revised tempo, with solid backing from Duncan Eagles' sax and Rosie Turton's trombone adding depth. The tenor sax solo is challenging and engaging, whilst the solid powerhouse which is the ensemble in this number is steadfast. Joao Caetano's strong percussion adds a strength under the sweetness of the voice.
'Beast From The East' is a strong track with Tim Garland's tenor introducing the theme which is held rhythmically throughout the track. Graeme Flowers on trumpet and Barnaby Dickenson on trombone excel on this track and it builds into a vehicle for the entire band to showcase and strut their individual and collective inventiveness, at times in almost orchestral arrangements. The simple yet mesmeric theme returns strongly in the final section before the track ascends and builds in volume and strength towards the dynamic finish.
'Tales From Hanoi' starts with a trumpet solo creating an Eastern feel before the band come in with a swinging Latin rhythm, creating images of swirling, shape forming, musical colours infused with a strong percussive line. An organ solo from Andrew Noble is fast, free-wheeling and up-beat, emphasising the joyous outpouring of this track and the percussion from Joao Caetano is simply divine.
'Black Tower' was written in memory of the Grenfell tower tragedy and opens with a strong statement from the brass section before a steady, relentless rhythm builds. The track has a dark restlessness to it and an angry energy in its depths. Clement Regert's guitar is melodic over the keys and horns. There is a lovely interlude with guitar and brass echoing the rhythms set. Some great harmonies from the horn section build to a guitar and drum interlude before the brass again make their statements. Clement Regert gives a gentle, emotive guitar solo and the sax solo over bass from Tim Garland is poignant, emotive and carries such a range of emotive changes, it is redolent of lives lost, lives saved and lives changed. The final section has a sense of rising energy in its depths and escape - maybe a sense of re-building. A well worked and poignant number with dark, brooding energy.
'Do It Like A Girl' is a contrast with a sassy feel, the continental sense of perhaps a Parisian stroll enhanced by the sensuous harmonica of Adam Glasser over the walking, swung beat of the rest of the band, emphasised by the bass box added by Andrew Noble. There is attitude here along with a sweetness and allure.
'Doctor K' is a reeling, rolling number, very 1960s with a Spanish- influenced solo from guitar, some inventive drumming from Sophia Alloway and a laid back but challenging trombone solo from Rosie Turton which assails the ears in a great manner. The final section with full ensemble is several sets of loveliness.
' The Struggle' is a well worked number, the band supporting the gorgeous soul-rock vocals of Imaani who brings a sultry essence to the track. The beautiful, expressive, driven solo from Tim Garland is a joy and again the left hand of Andrew Noble provides a steady deep bass line.
' Asparagus Moment II' is quirky, imaginative and includes lots of rhythmic and tempo changes and developments which make the short number both attractive and a rather cute listen as its cleverness is underpinned by its innovative and characterful delivery. The percussion lines are something else on this track and Jim Knight's alto sax delivers a powerful and masterful solo across the top.
' L'Empire des Anges' is a rhythmic, swung out number which features Will Fry on percussion and Jim Knight on alto sax. It is a powerful track stuffed full of energy which threatens to explode at times. The trumpet over the relentless percussion is enjoyable and resolute.
'Screen Walkers' has a big band feel and a classy, stylish delivery. The sounds are big, the arrangement clever and makes use of everyone on the number. From the organ solo, delivered whilst maintaining a driving bass line from the box, to the subtle but clever and relentless percussion, to the brass and wood solos, this is a short, sweet and provocative track with stand out trumpet and trombone.
'Papa Was A Rolling Stone' is just darn gorgeous and delivered with a mesmeric counter-beat between drums and organ, which drives the whole opening section, before the brass and woods enhance the familiar theme. The trombone on this track is outstanding and the track is funky, up-beat and pretty much divine.
What is great about this music is how the band swap and change in terms of atmosphere, intensity and drive. Each member of the trio plus guests finds a place in which to shine and are freely allowed to do so. Whether your thing is swing, energy, whether you like driving rhythms or emotive, stylish lines, there is something here for everyone and the CD is an enjoyable and classy creation.
Reviewed by Sammy Stein
