There is something very intimate and thought provoking about this duo album from Welsh pianist Huw Warren and his former Perfect Houseplants colleague saxophonist Mark Lockheart. New Day — Live at Livio Felluga Winery on the Italian CAM Jazz label was recorded last year. Full of Warren originals plus compositions by John Taylor there is a pervasive stately presence throughout that gives what they produce a gravitas that you do not always find on a contemporary jazz record but notwithstanding this there is also a playful joy to Warren’s spirited runs which Lockheart, like his fellow saxophonist and contemporary Iain Ballamy, also manages to conjure in playful spirit delivered with great control and tone to die for. I will be surprised if this does not turn up on many end of year best-of lists. It’s that good.
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