Having heard Smith with SSBB earlier this year (LINK) and Joe Webb at Bonner's Music Store in Kingston Park just under a year ago (LINK) it was good to hear them together on this album of six originals by Smith and one by Ellington.
It's quite a session with all four at the top of their game. Smith, at times romantic and lyrical, on other occasions it's as if Benny Goodman had formed a relationship with John Coltrane. Webb swings, stomps meditates captures the moment whatever the mood. Fjeldsted and Kirk add their own drive to an excellent album.
Artfullee is a gentle exploration on bass clarinet over a Latin rhythm laid down by Kirk. Webb maintains the mood with some punctuating chords as the clarinet moves towards an almost contemporary Pee Wee Russell squark - magic!
Minnow Games, a boppy theme, has Smith wailing on alto - a bird in flight. Webb's dazzling runs remind us that he has 88 notes at his disposal and he plays every one of them. Fjeldsted does the walking before the free-for-all set of 'fours' set the pulse racing.
Largo Montebello - hauntingly evocative soprano. Hypnotic drum patterns. Piano eases itself in. Bass offers a compatible line. Night time in Montebello, maybe it's misty. An evening to tread softly.
Take Off Make Off almost begins where the previous track left off but not for long. Some virtuoso clarinet playing leads to a harmonically rich Joe Webb solo. Kirk, as ever in the mix with Fjeldsted keeping the changes from changing untowardly.
Reflections in D. Originally recorded by Duke on the album Duke Plays Ellington. It's a tune so typically Ellington that it represents a challenge for anyone else to take it on. Giacomo and his bass clarinet are up for it and they don't lose face - compulsive.
The Round Tower inexplicably brings A Kind of Blue to mind - perhaps it's the bassline or maybe it's Joe in a Bill Evans' mode? Whatever with Giacomo's soprano gently sailing along in 3/4 it scores heavily on all counts.
Two Four No More. This is a hoot! A Dixieland/ragtime two-beat stomp with Giacomo bringing Bechet up to date and Joe a contemporary Pinetop. It's danceable, it's listenable. If these guys had been together when Barber, Bilk and Ball were in the charts the Giacomo Smith Quartet would have ruled the roost.
Release date Nov. 6. Order now - that's an order! Lance
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