Mercury Prize nominee Joe Webb is the quiet phenomenon of the UK/European scene. Not just for his piano technique, which is prestigious, but for his ability to reach corners of the music world that jazz rarely penetrates to any great depth.
Part of this may be due to his relative youth and affinity to Britpop and bands like Oasis - rare common denominators amongst your average jazz musician.
Neath Beat refers to the town of his Welsh birthplace where he studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama before moving to London.
Twelve tracks comprising nine Webb originals, two adaptations of Welsh folk tunes and one standard - I'm Confessin' (That I Love You). This latter track shows Webb at his Tatumesque best - awesome runs and chord substitutions that left me gobsmacked with admiration.
Goalmouth Scramble, inspired by his love of both football and ragtime, is a suitably syncopated piece capturing the action after an Anthony Gordon cross into the box (it has happened!).
Bassist Sach is at the heart of the action and he's honoured with Like Sach - a straight ahead swinger with the bassist predominantly featured.
Another track is dedicated to The Fantastic Mr. Cox referring, I presume, to clarinettist Adrian Cox. It's a slow drag that, excellent as it is, doesn't quite bring that Mr. Cox to my mind.
One track that does capture the subject to perfection is James P. This is the ultimate in stride playing. If Joe Webb had been in Harlem in the 1930s Fats Waller may have updated his reference to God being in the house.
Duke does what it says on the tin. Those distinctive Ellington like chords leave no room for doubt. Mellow Tony may also be a distant relation.
Corrièze is a French village (pop. 1171) situated in the Massif Central. Webb's composition is a thing of beauty that must surely capture the tranquility of the area better than any tourist guide.
Other tracks: Dy-Ni-Mi-Tee; KDB; Uncle Paul; Myfanwy.
I'm not sure how long it takes after an album is released for it to be deemed as being a classic but this one has got its foot in the door already! Lance
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