Malcolm Earle Smith, a jazz educator at Trinity Laban Conservatoire since 2005, is perhaps better known as a trombonist having worked with many top British jazz names past and present. This, however, is a purely vocal adventure.
Supported by four of his former students who have themselves gone on to make their mark on the current scene the end product is an enjoyable romp through a world where such legends as Jon Hendricks and Mark Murphy once reigned supreme. I'm not suggesting that Smith has dethroned the masters but he's chipping away.
The scatting is harmonically accurate and the tongue-twisting blast on Confirmation quite awesome. Listen also to Richardson's baritone chorus on the same number! On the more balladic moments, his light toned vocals when singing the heads bring to mind Joe Mooney or Mel Tormé.
Apart from Richardson who excels on both tenor and bari, Eldred and Chaplin also solo impressively as well as providing solid support whilst Marriner is sympathetic throughout combining with singer, sax, bass and drums for some meaningful fours on I Had the Craziest Dream as well as a subtle solo on the breakneck take of Just in Time.
Smith states that he deliberately left the trombone in its case to enable him to explore his voice more fully. His call, although I did feel it would have added an extra dimension. Still, a minor quibble outnumbered by the many positives. Lance
Stompin' at the Savoy; Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams; Confirmation; Don't Take Your Love From me; I Had the Craziest Dream; Just in Time; Time on my Hands; Dream Dancing; Old Fashioned Love.
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