Daily jazz blog, Marlbank

Jim Snidero, For All We Know, Savant ***1/2

All you need is a great drummer and bassist and a saxist with protean ideas about improvising on a familiar theme soloing over the top - that's what For All We Know seems to be saying and saying it in such no-nonsense fashion. Drummer Joe …

Published: 24 Jan 2024. Updated: 6 months.

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All you need is a great drummer and bassist and a saxist with protean ideas about improvising on a familiar theme soloing over the top - that's what For All We Know seems to be saying and saying it in such no-nonsense fashion. Drummer Joe Farnsworth and bass icon Peter Washington give ideal support to altoist Jim Snidero here on a set of familiar standards - my only carp is the material ('My Funny Valentine,' 'Naima,' 'Willow Weep For Me' and so on) is too familiar. But what Snidero is able to do even given this with his reactions to the themes in his improvisations is the really interesting customised bit - what he does to 'You Go To My Head' in particular one of the highlights on, yes, a real ''bebop heads'' album is a track you will be returning to time and time again. SG

Out on 16 February. L-r in the photo: Kenny Washington, Jim Snidero, Joe Farnsworth. 'Parker's Mood' from the album is streaming

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Callum Allardice, Cinematic Light Orchestra, Earshift Music ***1/2

There's really well woven textural ensemble play here and an expansive ambitious sound at work from New Zealand guitarist Callum Allardice and his orchestra of rhythm section and brass plus strings. The sound recalls the approach of Vince Mendoza a …

Published: 24 Jan 2024. Updated: 6 months.

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There's really well woven textural ensemble play here and an expansive ambitious sound at work from New Zealand guitarist Callum Allardice and his orchestra of rhythm section and brass plus strings. The sound recalls the approach of Vince Mendoza a bit in the arranging and even in places Pat Metheny circa Secret Story plus a scattering of other indie rock and Ennio Morricone influences. The writing, quite romantic and naturalistic in places, is very strong - check out a track 'Phobos and Deimos' featuring bassist Thomas Botting streaming from the album above. Allardice's soloing on 'Dark Love' is excellent. A new artist with a lot musicially to say worth taking a big punt on. Out on 8 March.