CD Review: Quentin Collins - Road Warrior

Quentin Collins (trumpet/flugelhorn); Meilana Gillard (alto sax); Leo Richardson (tenor sax); Dan Nimmer (piano/Rhodes on track 4); Joe Sanders (bass); Willie Jones III (drums) + Jean Toussaint (tenor sax - 2 tracks).

(Review by Lance).

They don't come any better than this! It's Jazz Messenger territory but these jazz posties aren't walkin' the streets they're running, they're flying - this isn't snail mail it's superfast broadband and what a band!

I've only just recovered from hearing Leo Richardson live at Pizza last week and here he is again but who's complaining? Not me that's for sure.

Richardson is, as always, on fire and, with trumpet ace Collins alongside him the pair take us on the road for a great adventure. But wait, let us not forget that there are three seats at the front and the third one was due to be occupied by Tom Harrison on alto. Tom however, had to pull out through injury and although he was able to act as assistant producer to Jean Toussaint (who also made his presence felt playing tenor on a couple of tracks) Tom had to miss-out playing on the album.

With only four days to go before the red light appeared above the studio door up stepped Meilana Gillard.

Where have you been all my life Meilana? Superb alto playing I was hooked from the opening number. Coupled with her fellow frontliners and an all American rhythm section this is a band to be reckoned with at any level anywhere. And, as if that wasn't enough, add former Messenger Toussaint and the blue touchpaper has been well and truly lit!

The good news is that after the launch at Pizza on Sept. 3 and a gig in Paris the following day they hit the road, albeit with a homegrown rhythm section, and roam the land reaching such northerly parts as Nottingham, Sheffield, Leeds and York (Oct. 28) before turning tail and finishing up in Cardiff the following day.
Ah well...
Lance
Release date Sept. 13 on Ubuntu  Music - UBU0027.