CD Review: Camilla George - Isang

Camilla George (alto); Sarah Tandy (piano); Daniel Casimer (bass); Femi Koleoso (drums); Zara McFarlane (vocal - 1 track).

(Review by Lance).

Ubuntu Music, is a newly formed recorded music label committed to bringing quality, accessible jazz and related music genres to increasingly wider audiences.

So reads the blurb and, if this release is typical they're in with a shot. All they need is the airplay and the media coverage. Well, they've got BSH's thumbs up for starters.

Trinity graduate George, her mentors include Toussaint, Kofi, Siegel and Speake, is one of the most delightful alto players to emerge in recent years. Lyrical, melodic, never a note out of place.

Neither too many, nor too little, the MOBO nominated Nigerian saxophonist sails through the changes. There's a modern-day bop feel to the opener Mami Wata whilst Lunacity, not surprisingly, is based on It's Only a Paper Moon. There's also a quote or two from Rollins' Don't Stop the Carnival.

Sarah Tandy also strikes a blow for Women Make Music, her playing is an absolute delight. Restrained but so effective. Bill Evans and Ellis Larkins spring to mind although, quite possibly, the next time I listen to those two it will be Sarah Tandy that springs to mind. Casimer we know well from appearances at The Globe this past year and, although Zara McFarlane only enhances one track it's enough to remind us of her appearances at Sage Gateshead.

Like George, McFarlane came through the ranks of Tomorrow's Warriors - what a finishing school that must have been!

Drummer Koleoso is also an ex-Warrior and it shows. He lays it all down, solos, lurks in the shadows, his presence felt rather than heard but, when the chips are down - he's heard!

The band's doing a CD launch tour that begins at Pizza Express, Soho, on January 11, takes a breather to (hopefully) have more CDs pressed then heads north in February.

Sheffield; Manchester; Ambleside; Leeds then, just as you think Newcastle is going to be on the itinerary they shoot off down to Kenilworth; Wrexham and Swansea!

So, we're not going to catch this great band live but the CD will go someway towards making up for it.

Lance.
PS: If I get around to making out anymore Best of 2016 lists this one will be riding high even though the release date isn't until January 2017.