Bliss Quintet, Glasshouse, Jazzland ***1/2

An often introspective and sensitive sound Bliss Quintet from Norway blend quarter tone trumpet, sax and a rhythm section, their approach like some sort of period Cool School approach drastically updated for the 21st century with say dirty keys on …

Published: 1 Nov 2023. Updated: 34 days.

An often introspective and sensitive sound Bliss Quintet from Norway blend quarter tone trumpet, sax and a rhythm section, their approach like some sort of period Cool School approach drastically updated for the 21st century with say dirty keys on 'Ida' and smatterings of burning energy along the way fed in. Around since debuting last year tunes here are band written and work well as a whole together - Oscar Andreas Haugs is on trumpet, Zakarias Meyer Øverlis on tenor sax - best heard on standout track 'Ida' - Benjamín Gísli Einarsson on piano and keys impresses most in his introduction to the poignant 'Adjøsang,' Gard Kronborgs is on acoustic bass guitar and Rino Sivathas is on drums. Worth discovering.

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Track of the week: Paul Dunmall Quintet with Ed Puddick and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Big Band, 'Soultime,' Stoney Lane

A rousing vintage soul soaked slice of riff-groove alchemy here from UK free-jazz goliath Paul Dunmall in storming form on the first solo after the theme backed by the firepower of the Royal Conservatoire Big Band. Recorded at Birmingham jazz club …

Published: 31 Oct 2023. Updated: 35 days.

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A rousing vintage soul soaked slice of riff-groove alchemy here from UK free-jazz goliath Paul Dunmall in storming form on the first solo after the theme backed by the firepower of the Royal Conservatoire Big Band. Recorded at Birmingham jazz club Eastside last year Dunmall is joined by his quintet and the big band, the release arriving in the saxist's milestone 70th year. Paul says that '''Soultime' goes back to my earliest times on gigs aged 15 when I was in a soul band playing the music of Otis Redding and the Stax label. I thought everyone might assume I would be playing free improvised music, so I thought I’d give them something to think about by opening with this piece!” The full album is out in December.