TOMMY SMITH & BRIAN KELLOCK - Symbiosis
Spartacus Records STS 010
Tommy Smith (ts); Brian Kellock (p)
Recorded October 2004
Symbiosis - living together of two organisms of different kinds, to their mutual benefit, as the dictionary definition informs; and this is very much the case on this latest recording from the pairing of Tommy Smith and Brian Kellock. Whilst both saxophonist and pianist both speak the same language it is with different dialects that none the less work to a distinct and mutual advantage, and yet again produce music that is compelling and stimulating over what is a set of very familiar tunes.
It is an entirely natural and logical progression to follow the highly acclaimed debut set form the duo, Bezique, that was recorded live at the Edinburgh Jazz Festival in 2002 with a studio recording, and if the resulting CD does not contain the exuberance and sheer breath taking virtuosity and edge of your seat excitement of the live performance; the more relaxed atmosphere of the studio has allowed the musicians to take their time and deliver renditions of some old favourites in a warm, calm and considered manner. Far from being cold and calculated, this has given the listener a fresh insight into their (collective) thinking and the compositions.
There has obviously been great care and attention to detail in the selection of the repertoire, and the tempo at which they are played. Rarely has Ray Noble's 'Cherokee' been taken at such a gentle pace, and the reading of Andy Razaf and Fats Waller's 'Honeysuckle Rose' is quite simply magestic. Kellock is so impressive throughout, with his shadowing of the saxophonist sublime, always supporting and yet so in tune with the surroundings; whilst his solos show little of the headlong rush of his Live At Henry's set for the Caber label, but show another side of the Kellock personality and depth of knowledge of the entire jazz tradition from Waller and Hines through to Tristano and beyond.
This knowledge and respect for the tradition is evident throughout and in the playing of both musicians. Of late Tommy has been maintaining a nice balance with his recordings for his own Spartacus Records in exploring his own musical personality and talents as a composer in arranging adventurous projects of his own works, and with frequent forays looking back at the tradition and standards playing. He has now reached that point in his career where he has an instantly recognisable voice, and the tools to make it effective in any context. His command of the upper register of the tenor make for delicious tension in his music, and a cusory listen a beautiful 'Pure Imagination' is testament to this.
Once again, Smith and Kellock have produced an album of real merit and stature, and if one was to look for comparisons to substantiate this claim then one should look no further than the meeting of Stan Getz and Albert Dailey on the 1983 set Poetry, and reissued on Blue Note; and the near perfect 2gether by Warren Vache and Bill Charlap. Duo playing of the highest order...and recommended unreservedly.
Reviewed March 2005
Spartacus Records STS 010
Tommy Smith (ts); Brian Kellock (p)
Recorded October 2004
Symbiosis - living together of two organisms of different kinds, to their mutual benefit, as the dictionary definition informs; and this is very much the case on this latest recording from the pairing of Tommy Smith and Brian Kellock. Whilst both saxophonist and pianist both speak the same language it is with different dialects that none the less work to a distinct and mutual advantage, and yet again produce music that is compelling and stimulating over what is a set of very familiar tunes.
It is an entirely natural and logical progression to follow the highly acclaimed debut set form the duo, Bezique, that was recorded live at the Edinburgh Jazz Festival in 2002 with a studio recording, and if the resulting CD does not contain the exuberance and sheer breath taking virtuosity and edge of your seat excitement of the live performance; the more relaxed atmosphere of the studio has allowed the musicians to take their time and deliver renditions of some old favourites in a warm, calm and considered manner. Far from being cold and calculated, this has given the listener a fresh insight into their (collective) thinking and the compositions.
There has obviously been great care and attention to detail in the selection of the repertoire, and the tempo at which they are played. Rarely has Ray Noble's 'Cherokee' been taken at such a gentle pace, and the reading of Andy Razaf and Fats Waller's 'Honeysuckle Rose' is quite simply magestic. Kellock is so impressive throughout, with his shadowing of the saxophonist sublime, always supporting and yet so in tune with the surroundings; whilst his solos show little of the headlong rush of his Live At Henry's set for the Caber label, but show another side of the Kellock personality and depth of knowledge of the entire jazz tradition from Waller and Hines through to Tristano and beyond.
This knowledge and respect for the tradition is evident throughout and in the playing of both musicians. Of late Tommy has been maintaining a nice balance with his recordings for his own Spartacus Records in exploring his own musical personality and talents as a composer in arranging adventurous projects of his own works, and with frequent forays looking back at the tradition and standards playing. He has now reached that point in his career where he has an instantly recognisable voice, and the tools to make it effective in any context. His command of the upper register of the tenor make for delicious tension in his music, and a cusory listen a beautiful 'Pure Imagination' is testament to this.
Once again, Smith and Kellock have produced an album of real merit and stature, and if one was to look for comparisons to substantiate this claim then one should look no further than the meeting of Stan Getz and Albert Dailey on the 1983 set Poetry, and reissued on Blue Note; and the near perfect 2gether by Warren Vache and Bill Charlap. Duo playing of the highest order...and recommended unreservedly.
Reviewed March 2005
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