Fraser Smith (tenor); Joe Webb (Hammond); Harry Sankey (guitar); Gethin Jones (drums).
(Review by Lance)
Fraser and his Alibis share a view contrary to that of their musical peers (late-twenty-somethings) inasmuch as their passion lies with the 'straight ahead' genre of Dexter, Wes, Clifford Jordan, Jack McDuff and the 50's/60's Blue Note Era - done via their own original compositions.
The subject has been well-rehearsed but not plagiarised. Smith wallows in that funky Gene Ammons/Ike Quebec sound, if he'd lived in, say, St. Louis he'd have done a few gigs walkin' the bar. Joe Webb draws from and adds to, the southside licks of McGriff, McDuff, Groove Holmes, Jimmy Smith and all the others who took the organ from the church to the barroom. Sankey has paid his dues, no need to ask who to! Now based in London, the drummer's name gives a strong clue as to where they are originally from although, in a blindfold test, the answer may be several thousand miles different.
Remember when the Tommy Chase Quartet burst on the scene? Well, Fraser & The Alibis make the same kind of impact - with subtlety!
Lance.
Lance.
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