Paul Booth - 44 (Forty Four) April 15, 2022 Ubuntu Music

Following on from my album ‘Trilateral’, recorded when I was 33 years old, 11 years later I thought ‘why not carry on with a theme’. My good friend Andrew Bain (also one of the drummers on this album) suggested recording a double quartet album, with both quartets playing at the same time. I began the challenge of trying to write for such a line-up. Although I have written for large ensembles before, writing for two bass players and two drummers was another story. I did some research, looking for inspiration, and found some good records. However, there aren’t too many albums out there with two bass players. I decided to use the electric and occasionally the upright as another ‘horn’ in some sections and then swapping roles in others, occasionally letting them play together. With the fine artistry of Flo and Dave, there never seems to be a moment where they are in each other’s way. In my opinion, it’s simply clean and classy. The same can be said for the two drummers who seamlessly worked together as if they had been doing it their whole lives. I just let them get on with it and they figured out how to make each piece work in a matter of minutes.

Ross and Oli provided beautiful colours throughout the album, with blinding solos while always complementing one another and the whole band in their accompanying roles. In choosing the musicians who appear on this album, I wanted to have a combination of some of my long-standing friends/collaborators and some of the younger musicians from the UK jazz scene who have really impressed me. This brings us to Alexandra, the youngest from this ensemble, who played so exquisitely with a maturity way beyond her years. I’m extremely proud of this whole ensemble and the music we created in one afternoon and ‘live’ in one room. 

1. Blues In The Square

2. Four Candles

3. Tale Of Tetra

4. Quad Rant

5. 4 Her

6. Summer Of 44

7. Quartal Quarantine

8. Four

Paul Booth - tenor/soprano saxophones

Alexandra Ridout - trumpet/flugelhorn

Ross Stanley - piano/Hammond B3 Organ/Wurlitzer electric piano

Oliver Mason -guitars

Flo Moore - electric bass

Dave Whitford - upright bass

Shane Forbes - drums

Andrew Bain - drums

Recorded at Challow Park Studios on the 2nd August 2021 by Will Biggs & James Towler

Mixed by James Towler at Wincraft Studios

Mastered by John Webber at Air Studios

Artwork by OG Media

Photography by Monika S. Jakubowska

Produced by Paul Booth

Executive Producer - Martin Hummel

PRE-ORDER

Trish Clowes - A View with a Room (April 22, 2022 Greenleaf Music)

‘A View with a Room’ is the fourth release by saxophonist and composer Trish Clowes and her acclaimed band My Iris, an intense and thrilling quartet that represents the front rank of the contemporary UK jazz scene. Lauded for her imaginative approach to improvisation and composition, Clowes provides her bandmates Ross Stanley (piano/Hammond organ), Chris Montague (guitar) and James Maddren (drums) with a unique platform for individual expression, delivering driving grooves and lingering melodic lines, seamlessly morphing between earthy restlessness and futuristic dreamscapes.

Most of the repertoire came together during the pandemic for various livestream events, Clowes writing a new tune for each precious playing opportunity. Many of the tracks make direct reference to issues created and exacerbated by the global pandemic, commenting on personal loss and creativity as solace, the climate crisis, and the ever-growing migrant crisis. The title track suggests a surreal, and yet strangely relatable concept, forced upon much of the world during these deeply isolating times. "The Ness" is inspired by sounds and images from a Scottish coastline by filmmaker / collaborator Rose Hendry. “Amber" is for Amber Bauer, CEO of Donate4Refugees (a charity Clowes is an ambassador for), reflecting her energy and dynamism. “Ayana" is dedicated to Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, an inspiring writer, marine biologist and policy expert, who speaks clearly and positively on the issues of climate change. Creative music for and of our times.

1. A View with a Room

2. The Ness

3. Amber

4. Morning Song

5. No Idea

6. Ayana

7. Time

8. Almost

Trish Clowes - tenor & soprano saxophones

Chris Montague - guitar

Ross Stanley - piano, Rhodes & Hammond organ

James Maddren - drums

Production Credits:

Executive Producer: Dave Douglas

Producer: MY IRIS

Recorded at Livingston Studios (Studio 1) in London, England on August 31st & September 1st, 2021

Recording engineer: Darren Jones

Assistant recording engineer: Luke Farnell

Mixing and mastering engineer: Chris Kelly

Cover Photography: Rose Hendry

Studio photography: Chris Kelly

Graphic designer: Lukas Frei

All compositions by Trish Clowes (PRS)

Trish is a Vandoren UK artist, using Vandoren reeds and ligatures

PRE-ORDER

Brandon Allen - The Gene Ammons Project (UBUNTU MUSIC 2018)

"I've been a huge fan of Gene Ammons since I first discovered jazz 25 years ago. Something about his sound and phrasing, it's always moved me.

When I listen to the first Gene Ammons album that I bought 25 years ago it still sounds just as great to me!

The Gene Ammons project developed organically after a series of gigs, each focusing on the work of an individual legendary saxophonist.

In preparation for these concerts I'd listen constantly, transcribe their solos, learn a bunch of tunes the way that they played them and then put a set together. I'd then perform that set of music on the nights that I hosted the Late Late Show at Ronnie Scotts...

more info...

brandonallen.co.uk