Daniel Schenker (trumpet, flugel); Stefan Schegel (trombone); Rodrigo Botter Maio (alto sax, flute); Christoph Grab (tenor/soprano sax/flute); Alessandro d'Episcopo (piano); German Laiber (bass); Elmer Frey (drums)
I must confess that none of the above names meant anything to me but, then again, I know little about jazz in Switzerland and I was tempted to shuffle this one to the bottom of the deck until my eye picked up on this in the blurb:
We're not attempting to fulfil any intellectual criteria with over intellectual and pleasure-averse music. Our goal is to have fun and spread it.
I liked the idea that it wasn't pleasure-averse music and I was hooked before I'd even heard a note and, when I did, I wasn't disappointed!
Nine compositions by leader Frey plus one well-known standard and all swinging with the precision of a Swiss watch. The charts suggest updated arrangements by Shorty Rogers or Marty Paich. They all have that warmer than cool feel about them so reminiscent of those good old West Coast days. All seven musicians solo impressively with Schegel particularly outstanding. I'm not sure which flautist solos on which tracks but they're both excellent. Indeed, to reiterate, this truly is a 'Magnificent Seven'.
Their goal was to have fun and spread it. They've achieved that goal - no V.A.R needed.
I'm not sure how it found its way from Winterthur to Tyneside, but I'm awfully glad it did. Available from Nov. 3. Lance
BLUE COURSE READY; Here Comes Livio; Raffaela's Waltz; Oriental 2nd Line; Shadow Play; A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square; Silverish; Clarity; Peter's Blues; Zauberwelt

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