CD Review: Simon Purcell – Red Circle

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.