Inner Space Music @ the Jazz Café - Nov. 24.

Rachel Musson, Chris Biscoe (reeds); Loz Speyer (trumpet); Olie Brice (bass); Gary Wilcox (drums).

(Review by Steve H)

Yet another superb gig at the Jazz Cafe on Tuesday night; it was Loz Speyer’s Inner Space Music who were the purveyors of this fine fayre. The make up of the band is slightly unconventional with two reeds players and a trumpet. This combination gives a somewhat hard edged feel to parts of the music but some of the harmonies conjured up were simply sublime. 

All the tunes played were composed by Speyer, several with titles making reference to the band name, for example Rocket Science which you didn’t have to be an astrophysicist to enjoy. A couple were named after animals which feature on an earlier album Five Animal Dances. The first, ‘Bird’, was introduced by Speyer, the second was left for the audience to guess. We never did find out, my guess would have been something fitting such as Emperor Penguin or The Lion.

The style of music will resonate with Ornette Coleman fans although it was more than just that. A feeling of warmth and peace seemed to exude from the stage. Fascinating solos from grandmaster Biscoe and rising star Musson were backed by cool steady drumming from Wilcox and some very muscular playing from double bassist Brice who surpassed himself on the piece Fragile. This was all held together by the ever so affable Speyer who controlled proceeding without ever hogging the limelight.

The final piece of the evening, entitled The Long Road, appropriately named given that the band are in the middle of a UK tour, was joyous and had a real calypso feel to it.   An enthralled audience responded with rapturous applause and Speyer informed us that anyone wanting more would be welcome to see them again in Hull the following night.

Steve.