Peter Jones (vocal); Vasilis Xenopoulos (tenor/flute); Anthony Kerr (vibes); Neil Angilley (piano); Andy Hamill (bass/harmonica); Davide Giannimi (drums).
(Review by Lance).
Peter Jones wears many hats, not least as an occasional contributor to these pages. His reviews from various London gigs help to make our presence known in the capital. He's also the author of what promises to be the definitive biography of Mark Murphy (out April 2018)* and, as this album shows, a first class singer/composer/lyricist.
Oh and, by the way, in case anyone thinks this review is of the 'jobs for the boys' variety we enthused over his previous album** long before we knew him!
Island Honey, set to an infectious cha-cha beat, the number was inspired by a small island off Brazil where he once holidayed. I'm not sure if the honey is a local lady or a reference to the luscious flute solo by that Greek God - Vasy.
Doggerland: Somewhat improbably set at the end of the last ice age circa 6,500 BC when sea levels were rising but England and the continent of Europe were still one. It's a poignant tale of love, heartbreak and hope that could easily be related to today. The emotion in Jones' voice touches the listener's inner soul and Angilley adds to the mood.
Baby and Hog refers to Baby Laurence and Ground Hog who'd dance for the queues outside Minton's to fund their H habit. More Vasy flute, Kerr vibes and Angilly piano to make you want to dance (in 7/4 time).
If Not Now, When? A lover pleads for the object of his affection to stop stalling. Vasy blows booting tenor, there are some nice piano and vibes in there too to strengthen the wooer’s case.
A Voice That’s Low, a Voice That’s Sweet has some more romantic moments. A hint of Curtis Stigers in the vocal.
1969 is in a dark mode with Hamill on harmonica and some soul-searching tenor. I’m not sure of the relevance of the title. Was 1969 such a bad year? The Beatles released Abbey Rd., Richard Nixon became president, Miles released Bitches Brew and Newcastle United won the Fairs Cup.
Every Day I Hear More Bad News is even darker with Vasy and vibesman Kerr trying hard to allow the sun to shine through the clouds. A snipe at the media which also tells us that love is the panacea for bad news.
Remember Summer: flute, piano and vocal fight the gloom of winter.
Paper Boat; Another reflective song – lost love emotively told by Jones.
Your Secrets: A waltz with three part vocal harmony (Has Jones triple dubbed?). Great tenor and piano solos.
Reunion: Memories of an old love rekindled.
Jones says that his aim was to create something that people might want to chill out to at 2am.
In that, he succeeds brilliantly – the wee small hours of today no less.
The downside, of course, is that not everyone does their listening at 2am…
Lance.
Release date for Peter Jones - Under the Setting Sun is August 25. Howlin' Werewolf - HW003
Album launch is on August 26 at Jazz Café Posk, London.
* This Is Hip: The Life of Mark Murphy (Equinox Publishing - April 2018).
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