CD Review: The Casimir Connection - Cause and Effect

Diane McLoughlin (tenor/soprano saxes); Pawel Grudzien (piano/violin); Kit Massey (violin); Tim Fairhall (bass).

(Review by Lance)

Diane McLoughlin describes the music as exploring the boundaries between classical, folk and jazz with intensity and intimacy, echoing chamber music of the classical tradition, but with the edge of contemporary jazz - with influences from Keith Jarrett to Poulenc, Bartok and Balkan folk music.

Considering that I first heard Diane blowing tenor at a jam in Stoke Newington and, more recently, with ARQ at the Globe these are certainly giant steps for womankind. 

Steps in which direction though? Going back in time, many have tried to merge the genres and yet few have succeeded - has Diane?

Yes - I think... The borderlines are so seamlessly joined that it is difficult to tag a label - perhaps even a new genre - Clazz? Not quite as the traditional folk element is also present on some tracks - Ireland, Yorkshire, Bulgaria, Poland are all part of the mix as Diane paints a landscape of memories from her childhood. Her Bulgarian experience came from explorations on her transistor radio - the equivalent today of surfing the web. I had a similar experience as a child when I discovered the short wave band!

It's a compelling experience that grows with each listening. Preconceptions must be dismissed and the music listened to as if it was the first music you'd ever heard. Problem is, you may never hear its like again unless its a path Diane pursues further which I sincerely hope she does.

All four musicians are up for it and the tracks with the two violins are particularly outstanding.

Lance

Launch at Vortex on Sept. 26. Details/samples.