Ian White (ten); Nick Walters (tpt); Johnny Hunter (dms); Tim Cox (tmb); Anton Hunter (gtr); James Adolpho (bs).
After Thursday's gig by Skamel at Hoochie it was with a sense of deja vu that I listened to the CD. As the gig also served as the album launch, this wasn't surprising. However, with the album sleeve (fantastic artwork by Angela Guyton!) in front of me I'm now able to pick up on the titles which I didn't always catch correctly at the gig.
At Hoochie, Nick's Skank came out as Nick Stank! Which he certainly didn't - at least not playing-wise. One of the most exciting trumpet players I've heard for a long time, Walters is well-featured throughout the disc. Indeed all of the soloists have their moments in the sun.
Badger Walk shows off Ian White (replaced by Ben Cottrell at Hoochie) to great advantage.
The Importance of Being Ernest has a quite lyrical solo by Tim Cox on trombone. And yes I know a lyrical trombone over a Reggae rhythm sounds an unlikely coupling but, trust me. The lyricism goes out the window when some electronic wizardry by guitarist Hunter takes over before the horns, surprisingly, come back in with a few bars of The Habanera from Carmen!
Silver Skank is presumably based on a Horace Silver number but I must confess I haven't picked up on it yet. Cape Verdean Blues? I don't know. Whatever, it's a great track. They're all good. Marseille Marceau with it's slightly melancholic mood and the collective improvisation passages is intriguing, beguiling the listener to speculate on the meaning of the tune title.
Of the nine originals six are by Johnny Hunter - two in collaboration with bassist Adolpho - Walters chips in with two and Anton Hunter one.
Only criticism, as the disc neared its conclusion I longed for a break from the insistent Reggae beat but that would be defeating the object of the band.
I may book a holiday in Jamaica.
Visit www.skamel.co.uk for more info.
Lance.
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