Dave Sear graduated from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2016. Now, in 2022, he's a member of the faculty of that prestigious establishment teaching jazz trombone and, on the strength of this album, there's no one better qualified.
He also composed six of the tracks as well as arranging Brubeck's In Your Own Sweet Way and Joe Henderson's Inner Urge bringing a freshness to them that offers a contrast to the originals.
As the paradoxical title suggests, I Always Thought My Thoughts Were Me is a deeply probing, contemplative, personal reflection of his lifelong struggle with anxiety and OCD. A very moving track.
The up-tempo tracks are post hard bop numbers that never stop swinging. The trumpet/trombone frontline offering an alternative to the traditional trumpet/tenor combination making for a really powerful in your face approach.
In Pursglove, one of Sear's former tutors, we have a trumpet ace second to none. Capable of Gillespianic fantasian flights or meditative Milesian moments he's the man. Sansom solos and comps superbly, Bashford drives the band and listens too - a quality not all drummers possess.
A special mention for James Owston, another of the Conservatoire's success stories, who is not unknown in the north east having performed at the Globe with Xhosa Cole, Francis Tulip and, most recently, Clark Tracey. His solo spots and sensitive intros to some of the slower pieces are captivating. Lance
The album comes out on CD and digital on Sept. 9 on Ubuntu Music UBU0118.
Check it out HERE.
Reservoir Retreat; I Always Thought My Thoughts Were Me; Eyes That Speak a Thousand Words; Visual Balance; In Your Own Sweet Way; Inner Urge; Blues For Rockydella Rascal; Eyes That Speak a Thousand Words (alt. take)
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