World Service Project @ Splinter @ The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle. November 28th

Dave Morecroft (keyboards), Conor Chaplin (electric bass), Neil Blandford (drums), Tim Ower (alto & tenor saxophones) & Raphael Clarkson (trombone) World Service Project ventured up north at the worst possible time - Newcastle was enveloped in snow with frequent blizzards adding to the difficulties of travel in and around the region. Only the hard core Splinter @ The Bridge crowd braved the elements and it made for an intimate gig. WSP played it loud. The music played was predominately that of Dave Morecroft. Bassist Conor Chaplin maintained a low slung funk groove and drummer Neil Blandford hammered his kit as Tim Ower and Raphael Clarkson took it by turn to build and burn their solos.

Ower was particularly impressive on alto and Clarkson blew hard, striving to be heard. Tunes included There's Always One, Hero of the Bus and Relentless, the latter being the title of the band's recently released CD. The set list included Blandford's arrangement of a Nirvana tune, smelling something like... It would be good to hear the band again playing to a bigger crowd.

Next Sunday's Splinter session features the peerless Claude Werner Quartet. Those keen (foolish?) to trek into the Northumberland snow field can hear Werner on Wednesday night (December 1st) in the cafe of Hexham's Queens Hall (8:00 pm).

Russell.