Laura Cole
(piano, arranger), Kerry Andrews (vocals), Chris Williams (alto sax), John
Martin (tenor/soprano sax), Paul Sandy (double bass), Tom Greenhalgh (drums,
percussion)
(Review by Les)
Until now, I'd never come across
Metamorphic, who describe themselves as “a
contemporary song-based jazz/folk sextet”.
They've been around awhile.
Coalescence is their second album, and is “a collection of largely song-based emotional journeys…some of which is
inspired by dreams”.
Whilst their self-penned
description didn't do much for my levels of enthusiasm or anticipation, having
now heard the album, it sums them up quite well.
Once I put the CD in the
player, any prejudices I might have been harbouring following the press blurb
were immediately blown away.
The pieces are a little
quirky, maybe a little arty in places, and the vocals vary between narration of
a story and singing a song, but it all comes together really well. It’s nicely recorded; there’s “space” between
each instrument. The pieces are beautifully
metered. The playing’s first class,
flitting between straightforward melodies and rhythms to outright improvisation
in a heartbeat, almost seamlessly, and there’s a seam of “folksiness” running
throughout. Everyone appears to be
playing for the benefit of the piece.
Before you know it you find yourself at the end of the album. It’s very engaging and thought provoking, and
it’s one of those that you should really sit down to listen to, but you're led through a myriad of stories and musical
journeys.
Whilst the album’s
largely made up of original material there are one or two familiar themes
buried within – Jimi Hendrix’s Little
Wing and Radiohead’s Reckoner
for example. You have to be listening
very intently to dig them out mind.
Metamorphic’s very much Laura
Cole’s band, her vehicle for expression. She’s had her share of problems over the
years and Coalescence comes across
as her way of channelling her experiences in a positive way.
The more I listen to
this, the more I like it. I can imagine Metamorphic to be a captivating live
act. Darlington Jazz Club has had the foresight to book them to play at The Forum Music Centre, Borough Rd Darlington
on June 16. The gig’s a “double
header” with the British based Norwegian vocal trio Røyst. Tickets would seem to be a bargain at £5, and more details
can be obtained by phoning on 01325 363135 or at www.facebook.com/darlingtonjazzclub.
Give them a try. They're original and refreshing, and I can
see them being an “interesting listen” to quite a broad spectrum of people, me
very much included.
Les.
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