Jake
McMurchie (tenor & soprano saxophones, electronics), Will Harris (double
bass), Mark Whitlam (drums, electronics) & Dan Messore (guitar)
(Review by Russell/Photos courtesy of Ken Drew).
The Jazz Café’s upstairs
performance space hosted Jazz North East’s monthly Schmazz night. Michelson
Morley made the journey from Bristol
for this, their first date of a nationwide tour. Band leader Jake McMurchie
brought with him the just released CD - Aether
Drift - which was to prove a popular purchase on the night.
The title track (Aether Drift) opened the show. McMurchie
played tenor utilising electronics through an array of pedals. Ad hoc band
member Dan Messore (guitar) contributed Damp
Squib (the tune anything but) and being his tune, he took a solo! Playing a
wide-bodied Hofner he knew his way around the fretboard alright. Solo
statements developed out of ethereal soundscapes, McMurchie on tenor or
soprano, Messore (guitar). Bassist Will Harris worked a repetitive, minimalist
seam (swing at a premium), occasionally surfacing to demonstrate his not
inconsiderable chops.
Some of McMurchie’s tunes took as
their inspiration an interest in things scientific, some simply had humourous
titles - Fringe Shift (think receding
hairline) and Rice Rage (think
culinary disaster). Fringe Shift
shifted through the gears, one of the tunes of the night, McMurchie on tenor,
bass and drums taking solos. The other highlight, the closing number of the
night - Rice Rage - heard Messore in full flight, so too
McMurchie.
Russell. 
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