CD Review: Rudy Smith Quartet - Glass World

Rudy Smith (alto steel pan); Ole Matthiessen (piano); Henrik Dhyrbye (bass); Ole Streenberg (drums); Jesper Løvdal (tenor on 2 tracks); Bjarne Roupe (guitar on 1 track).

(Review by Lance).

A few years back I was part of the horn section of the Chilli Road Band, a band that was predominately a steel band with a few horns. The panners were mainly of school age and, naively, I thought that it was a great way of introducing them to music and, hopefully, eventually, a proper instrument!

Pass the sackcloth and the ashes - steel pans are proper instruments and, in the hands of Rudy Smith who is credited as being the man who transformed them into a jazz instrument, this CD proves it.

They have a unique sound - somewhere between a Fender Rhodes and a vibraphone and slot into the ensemble as easily as any other front line instrument. Here, in the company of some of Denmark's top jazzmen, Smith more than holds his own. Has he ever won a Miscellaneous Instrument gong in any of the magazine polls? He should be the automatic choice. Listen to his version of Body and Soul and you'll see what I mean. We're not talking novelty, we're talking music.

Of course, Smith isn't the only star shining on this fine album. Olie Matthiessen plays piano as well as contributing six of the nine compositions. Smith chips in with one and, calypso king Lord Kitchener provides Old Lady Walk One Mile & A Half.

Jesper Løvdal blows impressive tenor on a couple of tracks, Roupe has his say on the final track and bass and drums make their presence felt when bass and drums are needed to make their presence felt.

Now, do I go to Denmark or the Caribbean for my holidays?

Maybe I'll stay at home with a bottle of Carlsberg, a Mojita chaser and this album which is available on Stunt Records (UK distributor, Discovery) from September 22.

Lance.

PS: If you're doing the Great North Run this Sunday look out for the Chilli Road Band who will be playing at the roadside (Wardley flyover). They should spur you onto a PB or, then again, you may just want to stop running and listen!