Tony Kofi (baritone sax); Simon Fernsby (guitar); Pete Whittaker (organ); Pete Cater (drums)
(Review by Lance/Link to photos courtesy of Malcolm Sinclair).
Hit the deck running was the phrase that jumped into my head as Kofi blasted out the opening four bars of Minor League. This was powerhouse stuff as the smart-suited Kofi roared off down that well known street - the one with 12 bars in it. Not only does he play better than most but he also cuts it on the sartorial front.
I thought that I'd never hear better baritone playing again in my life but it turned out to be only until the next number - Bossallegro! And so it went on. This was hard bop meets R 'n' B in a former catholic seminary in County Durham.
Some commented that the balance could have been better in the first set - maybe - but certainly no complaints after the break with Simon and the two Petes giving it some wellie.
Most of the numbers were from their current CD (Point Blank) making it well worth purchasing. The final number wasn't - Ode to Billy Jo - but it was a belter all the same. The benchmark for instrumental versions of this charismatic classic is the late Mike Carr's on his long gone album Hammond Under Pressure - this version came close.
For the jam session that followed I hand you over to Russell ...
Lance
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