CD REVIEW 4 stars MANY of the pieces on Paul Williamson’s seventh album as leader were conceived while he was based in Ireland, but don’t expect them to evoke rolling green hills. The strength of purpose in this outing comes as no surprise given the trumpeter’s five vigorous quintet albums. In Cahoots is propelled compellingly by Marc Hannaford (piano), Sam Zerna (double bass) and James … Continue reading IN CAHOOTS — INSIDE OUT
CD REVIEW 4 stars MOVING almost imperceptibly between the frisson of collective improvisations and the cues of composition, this fourth “white album” with Stevens on piano, Ben Robertson on bass and Dave Beck on drum kit is akin to the freedom of 2005’s Three Friends in Winter. Yet this outing, recorded in a day at ABC Studios, Southbank last year, is more compelling. Textures are … Continue reading SCARE QUOTES — TIM STEVENS TRIO
CD REVIEW *** PIANIST Jeremy Woolhouse wisely welcomes the “deliciously fresh slant” that Lucas Michailidis (guitars) and Ben Robertson (bass) bring to his compositions in their debut album. The serene, flowing piano benefits from their gentle improvisational exchanges, the bass adding strength and Charlie Haden-like melodic warmth, the guitar subtle inventiveness. Woolhouse’s approach is rounded, never sharp, and smooth rather than cutting, favouring continuity over … Continue reading ASCENT — WOOLHOUSE, MICHAILIDIS, ROBERTSON
