I must hold my hand up and confess that I was more than a little apprehensive before I cranked up the Victrola to listen to this enigmatic album. Tulip I knew as one of the north east's finest young guitarists but, I mused, what sort of company has he got himself mixed up with since he moved to the academic fleshpots of London?
However, from the opening bars of Triquetra I realised my misgivings were well and truly misplaced. Catriona Bourne is as much a jazz musician as any contemporary horn player. The fluency of her technique is on a par with that of Tulip's which, believe you me is no faint praise.
Tulip himself is the perfect foil - the Clyde to her Bonnie (musically speaking). His development since moving south nothing less than incredible.
There are actually four people in this Triquetra (three-cornered) but all fit in comfortably. Owston's bass solos are beautifully lyrical and melodic. Bainbridge's aren't and no one would want them to be. He ensures that it's never bland.
Bourne's Scottish heritage is very much evident in her compositions although she has also found inspiration from Roy Hargrove, J.J. Johnson and other jazz luminaries. I'd have liked to have heard more of her flute playing but that will be something for another day - maybe when they're at the Globe as part of the Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music 2024 on Oct. 6.
This is one of those albums where I went in fearing the worst and came out after hearing the best! Lance
Release date (October 11).
Triquetra; Coronach; Sligachan Bridge; Intro to Rowan; Rowan; Lannigan
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