Nigel Hitchcock (Alto/Soprano Sax): Chris
Dagley (Drums); Miles Bould (Percussion); Laurence Cottle (Fretless Bass) +
Hitchgnosis Orchestra/Symphony Orchestra of Marat Bisengaliev (tracks 3, 8
& 11).
(Review by Steve H)
Nigel
Hitchcock seems to have been around forever, his first solo album (Snake
Ranch Sessions) was recorded in 1997 his second (Smoothitch) in
2013. His latest album, Hitchgnosis, is his most ambitious to
date incorporating a symphony orchestra in addition to a rhythm section
of electric bass, drums and percussion.
In-between
times Hitchcock has played saxophone solos on numerous pop albums, TV ads and
film scores. No doubt these experiences influenced his approach on this, his
latest jazz work.
It is only
fair that I confess early on that I am not a great fan of orchestral music, be
it Brahms, Beethoven or for that the matter The Beatles. One of the few
exceptions to this rule is the fabulous Bird with Strings so I
was not without hope when given this album to review. Unfortunately, for me
this album fits into my first list rather than the second.
This album
was inspired by Hitchcock’s 5 year stay on the Island of Skye and, by his own
admission, was influenced by New Age books quantum physics and AI.
Hitchcock
is a tremendous soloist and writes some lovely melodies. I enjoyed the
playing of the rhythm section and there were fine solo from various instrumentalists
throughout. Various styles and genres are incorporated from the very
cinematic Enki’s Dream, through a tango Heart in a Tango,
the folksy Panharmonia, the ballad Blaven Mist and
finally the blues logically titled Skye Blues.
For those
who like cinematic, melodic, orchestral jazz this may be the album for
you sadly for me when it comes to symphony orchestras and jazz I feel
much the same as Mark Twain when he said ‘golf is a good walk spoiled’
Steve
H
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