(I make no apologies for re-posting this CD review as the band are appearing tonight at the latest Jazz Co-op gig at The Globe. If they are only half as good as they are on the CD it would still be one helluva gig! However, I confidently expect them to be
even better live! Don't miss out! -
Lance)
Samuel Eagles (alt/sop); Ralph Wyld (vib); Fergus Ireland (bs); Eric Ford (dms).
(Review by Lance).
What a talented family the Eagle Clan must be! Brother Duncan has already achieved recognition with the contemporary trio Partikel and now, Sibling Samuel has emerged from the eyrie in full flight displaying a technique well capable of expressing the multitudinous rush of ideas that flow from his head/soul via either alto or soprano.
Tutoring by such greats as Mornington Lockett, Jean Toussaint and Jason Yarde, among others (no doubt brother Duncan also threw in his tenpenneth), have ensured that Samuel has tread the path of musical righteousness. Eagles cites his influences as ranging from Charlie Parker to Kenny Garrett with a nod towards Ambrose Akinmusire and Logan Richardson which is no bad place to be.
Eight original compositions, tried and tested on the London gig scene, prove that not only is Eagles a saxophone player to be reckoned with but a top notch composer too!
On this CD he is in the company of his equally talented peers. Ralph Wyld, currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music under Nick Smart and Jim Hart, is an emerging malleteer exploring the possibilities of the vibraphone. No longer dismissed as a "Miscellaneous Instrument" by Down Beat, although the British Jazz Awards still include the instrument in that slightly derogatory category (Jim Hart was last year's winner) there is nothing miscellaneous about Wyld's playing. pithy, and swinging like his mentor.
Ferg Ireland, another regular on the London scene, arrived via Trinity and RAM before making his mark with some of the capital's A-listers such as Nat Facey, James Maddren and Jay Phelps. Here, he is the veritable rock around which the session is built.
On drums, Eric Ford, well known for his work with Eagles Major in Partikel, provides plenty of F-IRE power on this session driving, cajoling, spurring the soloists on, pushing them to the brink then bringing them back.
An exhilarating date. I can imagine Eagles saying. "Follow that bro!"
Samuel Eagles Quartet - Next Beginning will be officially released on the F-IRE presents label on November 10 and launched on November 16 at Pizza Express, Dean St., Soho.
The quartet play several dates promoting the album commencing on Sept. 20 at Lancaster Jazz Festival.
Lance.
PS: The Paul Edis Sextet present their Mr Hipster album that same day at the same festival giving fans an additional incentive to cross the Pennines!
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