(Review by Hugh C)
Issie Barratt is well
established on the jazz scene as an internationally active composer,
arranger, conductor, baritone player,
record producer and educator.
Interchange (“In-to-change”) is “an exciting new jazz dectet comprising ten of the nation’s
most innovative award-winning composers and improvisers – Pushing at the boundaries and blurring all
the edges!”
Donna’s Secret comprises eight newly
commissioned works, each by a different composer, namely: Still Here (Karen Street); Donna’s
Secret (Brigitte Beraha); Negomi (Nikki Iles); Samla Korna Med
Kulning (Issie Barratt); Palmyra (Shirley Smart); Spontaneous
Symmetry (Tori Freestone); Caliban (Cassie Kinoshi); Hope (Carol
Jarvis).
Each is written in response to
a situation or life event the individual composer has encountered or
experienced and detailed sleeve notes place each track in the context in which
it was composed.
Still Here demonstrates tight ensemble
playing interspersed by a Ceilidh-style dance rhythm featuring Karen Street’s
accordion. Donna’s Secret features both musical (verbal and non-verbal)
and spoken vocals, in both French and English, from Brigitte Beraha and Jessica
Radcliffe. Negomi is a reflective
piece with Middle Eastern influences, written in response to the plight of
refugees in the Calais camps. Samla
Korna Med Kulning commences with birdsong and cowbells and depicts women’s
herding calls (Kulning) on the Fennoscandian peninsula. Palmyra returns us to the Middle East
(where the composer lived for several years).
Spontaneous Symmetry examines the patterns of nature and
breakages in the usual symmetry, such as Freestone’s mother’s atrial fibrillation. Caliban is Kinoshi’s response to the
character in Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
Hope reflects the composer’s emotional journey through cancer
juxtaposing darkness and loneliness with optimism and hope.
As observed in a previous review on
Bebop Spoken Here
(and quoted in the band’s publicity) this is a band, “full of sophisticated music and
improvisational skill”. The whole CD lasts a total of nearly 78
minutes and each track between 7 and 13 minutes. Within each track there are contrasting
elements reflecting the nature of the subject matter informing the
composition.
The CD bears repeated
listening, and each time new nuances are discovered. This is not one for “musical wallpaper” in
the background and demands full attention from the listener.
Donna’s Secret is released by Fuzzy Moon
Records (Catalogue FUZ015) and is available now.
Issie Barratt (Baritone Sax); Nikki Iles (Piano); Laura Jurd (Trumpet/Electronics); Jessica Radcliffe (Voice); Helena Kay (Clarinet/Alto Sax); Rosie Turton (Trombone); Shirley Smart (Cello); Karen Street (Accordion); Charlie Pyne (Bass); Katie Patterson (Percussion).
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