CD Review - ACV "Fail in Wood".

How many flowers fail in wood

Or perish from the hill

Without the privilege to know

That they are beautiful.

How many cast a nameless pod

Upon the nearest breeze

Unconcious of the scarlet freight

It bear to other eyes. - Emily Dickinson

The words of Emily Dickenson provide the inspiration for the title of this, at times, compelling album by ACV. I'm not entirely certain why these words were chosen or indeed their significance but they do seem to convey the mood of the album.

ACV is the brainchild of bassist Andy Champion who composed all 8 tracks. If you heard the band at its recent Splinter @ The Bridge gig you'll know what to expect. If you didn't then maybe you're in for a surprize.

ACV are, apart from Andy on bass, Graeme Wilson (ten/bar), Paul Edis (pno), Mark Williams (gtr) and Adrian Tilbrook (dms) - Well and truly an A Team outing.

Overall the album has a jazz-rock feel about it that touches on the edge of free without becoming totally non compis mentis - a formulist such as me can live with this.

Graeme Wilson soars like a swallow on tenor and an overfed eagle digesting his prey on baritone. Rich and luxurious with the occasional be-burp flurry it is a good sound.

Mark adds distinctive touches - is there a better guitarist? - as does Paul whose occasional Hammond-like voicings almost turn it into a Blue Note set.

Andy, as befits, is almost magisterial doing the business all round whilst Adrian is powerful and aggressive only when needs demand he be powerful and aggressive.

There are moments of tenderness and moments of kick the door down ferocity.

Well worth hearing.

Lance.