A Bitta Bittadose: Bobby Watson's composition is introduced by a few bars from Owston's bass which, I was lying in bed at the time, threatened to fast forward me to the Land of Nod. This is no criticism of James but it was so dreamily melodic I was moving into a world where happy little bluebirds sing then - KAPOW! Masser and Clarke come in all guns blazing! Masser scatting like as though she'd invented the genre and Clarke in unison before blowing tenor like well, er, like Alex Clarke and that's a whole lot of tenor playing!
A Sleepin' Bee: Begins slowly and gently before Masser ups the tempo and Clarke blows more booting tenor. Harvey keeps the momentum going with Tracey ensuring it doesn't falter, sharing some drum/tenor exchanges before Masser takes it out.
Nothing Like You: Just as we used to imagine (probably would still do if we could spell the names) our dream football team this song brings together a dream songwriting team - Bob Dorough and Fran Landesman. I don't know how many songs they collaborated on but even if it was only this one it should be in every jazz singer's repertoire. Of course they'd have to be something special to pull it off. Masser pulls it off. More brilliant tenor by Ms Clarke. You wouldn't want to meet Alex on a dark night at a jam session.
The Man I Love: Think Annie Ross's Twisted. Masser digs a groove on the same side of the street. Tracey kicks seven shades out of the kit, Harvey makes a brief reference to the melody before Emily returns. At this stage of the album I feel I know them so well I can no longer refer to them other than by their first names!
Passarim: A Jobim number that has Clark chipping in with some backing vocals. Alex blows flute but, compared to the rest, and at the highest level, doesn't quite do it for me.
So Near so Far: Vocal, alto in support, piano solo, more alto, this album just gets better and better. Bass and drums exchange fours before Emily and Alex take it abruptly out. The song came from the pens of Tony Crombie and Benny Green.
Then I'll be Tired of You: Ballad singing at its finest. Ballad tenor playing at its finest. Beautiful - no other word for it.
Suddenly Last Tuesday: One of Jimmy Deuchar's contributions to the Great British Bebop Book. It put the composer, as well as Ronnie Scott and Tubby Hayes, through their paces back in the day and here it's played even faster and I had to check that my hi-fi (not be confused with wi-fi) hadn't gone into freefall - nobody could scat at this speed! Alex slows it down only slightly although if she'd been driving at this speed on the motorway she'd have been booked. Incredible!
An amazing album. Release date is March 15 but, if you want to buy the album and have it signed by all concerned just head to the Globe in Newcastle where, as part of the Jazz Coop's tenth anniversary celebrations, the band will be playing on April 30.Trust me, this will be one of those gigs you'll tell your grandchildren about! Lance
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