Robin Porter (ten); Jonathan Brown (gtr); Sam Vicary (bs); Tom Hawthorn (dms).(Review by Lance).
The first set came to a triumphant close with as good a version of Airegin as I've heard this side of Sonny Rollins. Likewise, the penultimate number of the second set, Monk's Misterioso also got the adrenalin flowing with an original arrangement that I'm sure would have won the composer's approval.
Vicary is well known on Tyneside having made many trips up the A1(M) with an assortment of Leeds based groups but, to the best of my knowledge, the first time with this crew who were nearing the conclusion of a mini UK tour.
Like Sam, the other three are no slouches either contributing effective and at times paint-stripping solos. Porter has a cool, smooth, tone that was particularly pleasing during the more rhapsodic moments. Brown can thrash with the best of them and Hawthorn certainly knows his way around the kit - his solo on Airegin being outstanding.
Porter and Brown composed the originals that made up the rest of the program. These were, in the main, doom laden sombre pieces with strange titles such as the opener: A Jacket With Too Many Pockets - not the catchiest of titles - Coffee Shops, Guttural and a three section work inspired by a book Porter had read. I didn't catch the title of the tome otherwise I may have sought it out in the library upstairs!
A pleasant evening.
Lance.
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