Chris
Batchelor (Trumpet), Julian Siegel (Tenor and Soprano Saxophones),
Simon Purcell (Piano), Steve Watts (bass), Gene Calderazzo (Drums)
(Review
by Hugh C.)
Red
Circle is the début release from internationally acclaimed pianist
and educator Simon Purcell, currently the head of Jazz at the Trinity
Laban Conservatoire of Dance and Music in London. Purcell originally
came to prominence during the UK jazz boom of the 1980s through his
band 'Jazz Train'. He has performed with many leading musicians.
Red Circle marks his return to a more active performing career after
nearly three decades in the world of jazz education.
Purcell's
band comprises some of the most important contributors to the
UK scene during the last two decades. They're also a bunch
of old friends with years of playing experience and, in this spirit, the music was recorded in one room with no real isolation between the
instruments, giving the album a 'live date' feeling.
All
the material has been composed by Purcell with the intention of being
less about complex themes, instead providing attractive contexts for
improvisation where the artists can masterfully stretch out.
There
are eight tracks on the album, plus a further bonus track featuring
the stylish vocal presence of Liane Carroll.
The
first three tracks Spirit Level, Red Circle –
Enchantress and Minos are very much in a straight
ahead groove. The experience of the musicians allows for complex
interplay with more
or less equal representation of Batchelor on trumpet, Siegel on
saxophones and Purcell on Piano. Answers for Job is
more laid back with a west coast
(USA, not GB!) feel to it. If you didn't know you could almost
imagine it's Miles' band. There is a return to up tempo with
Pandora. Dark
Night has (as might be expected)
a slightly mysterious quality, with subtle Middle Eastern sonorities
in places. Ithaca slows
things down before the fast and furious Maestros and Musos.
The bonus track is a balladic revisiting of Ithaca with
the added sumptuous vocals of Liane Carroll.
All in all this is an excellent
album and reflects the quality of British jazz currently and over the
previous three decades. Let's hope we don't have to wait another 30
years for the next one!
Red
Circle is released on Monday November 10 (Today!). The album launch is at the Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho
on November 16 and forms part of the EFG London Jazz Festival.
Simon Purcell – Red Circle, Whirlwind
Recordings WR4651.
Hugh.
Hugh.
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