CD Review: Alex Hitchcock Quintet - All Good things

Alex Hitchcock (tenor sax); James Copus (trumpet/flugelhorn); Will Barry (piano/Fender Rhodes); Joe Downard (bass); Jay Davis (drums).

Review by Lance)

Hitchcock is no stranger to these pages, he has turned up in various guises at Hoochie Coochie (w. Resolution 88), Jazz Café, various CDs and an excellent EP with this band.

In fact, Hitchcock's latest album is a logistical step forward taking the band and the idiom into an area that punches the frontiers blazed by Blue Note, Miles and Coltrane whilst still retaining sanity and, dare I say it? that much-maligned word in avant-gardist circles - musicality.

Hitchcock is undoubtedly a 'comer' and, just as we are seemingly overrun with great women singers, he is swimming in an equally populated pool - maybe I should rephrase that - and, if it came to a tenor battle royal he'd be taking no prisoners. Copus too is making his mark - heard him at Ronnie's with Alan Barnes + Eleven and he blew great then as, indeed, he does here. 

Solid rhythm section who are so much more than just that. Soloing, comping, shooting off in directions that would defy a musical Sat Nav but still managing to hit the home straight intact.

The blurb reads "New Music From Sought-After Ensemble Representing The Future Of UK Jazz". It seems to me I've heard that all before but, this time around, - with fingers crossed - I believe it! If I didn't, I'd stop listening to jazz today and go back to my early heroes and, like them, just fade away - but not whilst this band is around!

All good things come to an end? Don't you believe it!!!
Lance.
CD available May 31 on Spanish label Fresh Sound.
Sample/buy.