Review: The New Couriers - Brazilian Thoroughfare.

Martin Drew (dms), Jim Hart (vbs), Mornington Lockett (ten/sop), Steve Melling (pno), Paul Morgan (bs).

I mentioned I won a CD in the raffle at last night's Newology gig. The CD in question was Brazilian Thoroughfare by the New Couriers. Recorded live at The 606 Club back in 2008 and released on the Trio label - it is a belter!

Not surprisingly, it evokes memories of the original Couriers thanks to some Tubbs-like vibes playing from Jim Hart and Scott/Hayes tenor from Mornington Lockett.

With three of the five tunes being from the pen of Victor Feldman it is little surprise that the vibes are well featured. and Jim Hart is a worthy carrier of the torch left by Feldman and Hayes.

Lockett too is tailor-made for the role of Tubby Scott (or Ronnie Hayes). Morn. belongs to that elite group of younger British tenor men who are edging away from the peloton - I'm talking Simon Spillett, Paul Booth, Simon Allen and maybe one or two more.

On a slower number such as the slightly exotic New Delhi played on soprano ML gets into a funky groove that has  modal overtones.

On piano, Steve Melling digs deep into our innermost feelings - witness his solo on Feldman's Falling in Love. Steve contributed the title track and he featured himself and Jim Hart in an exciting piano/vibes duet.

The final track - You and the Night and the Music - is an uptempo blast in the best Jazz Couriers tradition.
Paul Morgan - another elite bass player - provided the essential foundation as well as chipping in with solid solos.
Martin Drew kicked it along mega mightily giving the soloists no other option but to swing their butts off or die.
Nobody died.

A raffle that was well worth investing in and if there ain't a raffle near you click here..

Lance.