CD Review: Malija – The Day I Had Everything

Mark Lockheart (tenor & soprano saxophones, bass clarinet), Liam Noble (piano) & Jasper Høiby (double bass) + Ligeti Quartet: Mandhira de Saram (violin), Patrick Dawkins (violin), Richard Jones (viola) & Val Welbanks (cello) (tracks 2 & 11)

(Review by Russell)

Malija comprises three familiar names on the contemporary European jazz scene; Mark Lockheart (Loose Tubes, Polar Bear), Liam Noble (Julian Siegel, Bobby Wellins, Tom Rainey) and Jasper Høiby (Julia Biel, Phronesis). The reeds, piano and double bass trio began their enduring working relationship in 2009 recording, and subsequently touring, Lockheart’s In Deep CD project. The Day I Had Everything is, according to Lockheart: about many musical things…to me this is London jazz music, distinct and different from the American sound.

Eleven tracks, five composed by Lockheart, three each by Noble and Høiby, with strings augmenting two cuts, The Day I Had Everything is a masterful example of chamber jazz markedly of our time. Elegant, subtle, robust, heart-felt, this new Edition Records release surprises, and, in turn, reassures the listener. Myriad influences pepper the recording (CD and LP format); Ellingtonia, township, tango, classical motif, late-night Ronnies’ hosting the great American horn players of yesteryear. The opening track – Squared – is the first tune the trio ever played together. It reminds the trio of a ‘bluegrass feel’. It certainly has a forward motion propelled by Lockheart’s tenor.

Noble’s Mr Wrack strides purposefully into an urgent, discordant tenor squall. Lockheart’s The Pianist is a piece inspired by two musicians that the composer and pianist Noble – Duke Ellington and Earl Hines – love to bits. Measured Ellington and muscular tenor somehow work hand in glove. Malija (Ma – Mark; li – Liam, ja – Jasper), the title track, embraces breathy tenor, stately classicism, an elegant township melody as might be played by Loose Tubes, resolving on Høiby’s bass pattern.

Almost a Tango may or may not be almost a tango. One thing is for sure – the tune shifts constantly, never still, twisting tenor, Noble’s commanding piano. Mark Lockheart’s One for Us sounds for all the world like a celebration of the magic of the moment when, only in jazz, the music captures the essence of why so many listen to it. You’ve been there – a beer in hand, late night, a great gig, then one tune hits home. Jazz at its best.

The Ligeti Quartet recorded two contributions at Trinity Laban, London (strings arranged by Mark Lockheart) and the trio recorded over two days in Cardiff at Fieldgate Studios in May, 2015. The Day I Had Everything by Malija will be released on November 27. The Edition Records CD catalogue no. is: EDN 1064. Heartily recommended.      

Russell.