Album launch: Ben Crosland Quintet 'North York Skies' @ 606 Club - Sept. 26

© Roy Woodcock

Ben Crosland (electric bass); Steve Waterman (trumpet, flugelhorn, EWI); Steve Lodder (keyboards); Chris Allard (guitar); Nic France (drums).

With Chelsea’s 606 Club gearing up for a two-week celebration of its 50th anniversary, Ben Crosland brought his Quintet to London Town for a little reverse devolution. For one night only we were enveloped in the beauty that is the North York Moors - a soundscape as broad as its far-reaching skies.

Crosland, who anchored things superbly throughout, describes the album as “a love letter to the North York Moors” and like the Moors there’s much to be discovered in the music and, in his typically-relaxed style, Crosland also relays some of the stories behind it.

But from first to last note the Quintet’s playing is peerless; gentle and relaxing one minute before soaring to propulsive heights the next.

The album’s 12 tracks were presented across two sets and the opening two numbers mirror the album’s running order; The Optimist - named after the train that relaunched public services on the North York Moors heritage railway post covid - getting our “journey” underway.

It’s a piece that quickly gathers pace with Waterman getting up a head of steam with some propulsive playing. Next we’re into the title track which conjures up the vastness of the landscape; some lovely playing by Lodder that adds a calm, relaxed feel.

© Roy Woodcock

From here, the running order mixes things up somewhat to convey contrasting emotions. Picking out just two examples, George and Monty is at gentler pace with  Waterman demonstrating the wonderful tone he achieves on flugelhorn, Lodder switching to the club’s piano and Allard, not for the first time delivering a guitar solo that’s bang on point.

“We’re getting soppy now,” Crosland announces when introducing the number, one of two that brings home his intense personal connection to the area and the memories captured by visits made with his late mother (George and Monty being the names of resident dogs at the hotel they often stayed).

Contrast that with the set’s upbeat closing number, The Blakey Lions, inspired by 70s jazz-rock group Back Door, who played regularly at the remote Lion Inn at Blakey Ridge. Waterman picks up his EWI, affectionately known as “that purple thing”, to let rip with a barrage of notes.

The second set draws us in again with the opening number, Howardian Undulations, a Moors main road that “rises and falls like the proverbial big dipper”, and one that gives everyone a chance to shine; Allard sitting calm and laid back on the edge of his stool and not for the first time unleashing an intense guitar break.

© Roy Woodcock

Breathing Space provides that, a melodic tune “portrait” of the Moors with more wonderful playing by Allard and Waterman’s elegant flugelhorn.

The evening concludes (as does the album) with Ain Howe Farewell, one of three numbers that are inspired by the many standing stones that can be found on the Moors (reputed to have the country’s largest collection). It’s a lively conclusion; not least because of Nic France’s pulsating drum solo.

It was reet good, tha knows! Roy Woodcock 

* North York Skies is released on Jazz Cat Records