Cath Roberts – alto saxophone,
compositions; Tom Ward – tenor saxophone ; Henry Spencer –
trumpet;Magnus Dearness –
trombone; Dave O’Brien – keyboards; Jason Simpson –
bass; Olly Blackman –
drums.
(Review by Steve H.)
This is composer and band leader’s Cath Roberts
debut album with her septet Quadraceratops named after a fictitious dinosaur
who, like the band, has four horns.
Dinner with
Patrick
gets the album underway - a horn
dominated rumble which ebbs and flows in almost ‘Mingus’ like fashion.
Song for the Worker Bee features a
hypnotic minimalist Fender Rhodes solo from Dave O’Brien before the haunting trumpet of Henry Spencer
kicks in. The whole track is set against a background of driving drums and
bass. Chair-O-Planes has a stirring
melody with some solid soloing by Roberts, Dearness than contributes a smashing
solo on the trombone before the piece concludes with the same cheery theme by
which it had begun. Open Sandwich is
carried along by Simpson’s funky double bass another ethereal Rhodes
solo from O’Brien cranks up the piece allowing the horns to really get going. Spiderling is a slower more delicate number with O’Brien on
acoustic piano and the horns providing an
erringly sinister backdrop. Calico is dominated by Spencer’s soaring
trumpet with the whole ensemble squawking away together before culminating in a
gentle piano led finale. Flying South
concludes this album with all soloists getting their chance to shine.
Trombonist, Dearness and bass player,
Jason Simpson taking the honours along with drummer Olly Blackman who
keeps things going throughout the entire album.
This a fine piece of modern British jazz with
excellent compositions and arrangements from band leader Cath Roberts. I expect
the band to get better and better as they play together and imagine they would
be a very fine outfit to see live.
Listen/Buy.
Listen/Buy.
Steve H.
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