CD Review: Simon Spillett Quartet - Square One.

Simon Spillett (ten); John Critchinson (pno); Alec Dankworth (bs); Clark Tracy (dms).

(Review by Lance.)

If you were at last night's concert at Newcastle's Corner House you surely purchased this disc as a reminder of a memorable evening. If you didn't, then I suggest a visit to your GP to have the wax removed from your ears! 

Seriously, last night was brilliant with Simon at the top of his game and that is reproduced here making this a souvenir of the gig or a reminder to those who didn't make it of what they missed.

When I hear Spillett play although the spirit of Tubbs hovers over, I find he is becoming ever more his own man. On this disc, the opening two numbers - Dizzy Reece's Shepherd's Serenade and Spillett's own Square One - have a Blue Note/Prestige soul feel to them that almost cries out for a Hammond B3 - almost! The rhythm section of Critch, Dank and Trace prove that, as the Edis boys did last night, they can set up a groove just as effective as anything by Wild Jimmy Groove McSmith!

The ballad, Yesterday I Heard the Rain, is treat with due respect without being lachrymose whilst Night in Tunisia is the exotic romp that tune always is.

Jimmy Deuchar's Bass House and the up-tempo In the Still of the Night conclude a splendid album that, I'm led to believe, is also available on 12" vinyl.

Visit http://www.simonspillett.com/ for more details.

Lance.