THE SATURDAY MORNING LISTEN
Recorded at Michele Catri's Master Chord studio in North Finchley's Woodside Park area close to Totteridge Lane - where Paul Edis recorded The Still Point Of The Turning World a couple of years ago. The place has an amazing piano and the sound on both albums is excellent. Comprised of originals by pianist composer Zoe Rahman, the Chichester born English player of Bengali and Irish descent known in recent years for her acclaimed work with Courtney Pine on his Spirituality and Ballads: The Songbook albums, who is no stranger to awards and fan appreciation. Rahman, 52, has been Mercury nominated, Parliamentary Jazz Award winning and most recently an Ivors Composer Awards impact winner in 2021.
Zoe Rahman above at the Ivors in 2021 with fellow pianist Julian Joseph.
What a track record. And all completely deserved. A dynamic thinker it isn't a surprise at all that Colour of Sound is one of the best albums of the year so far. At just over three quarters of an hour in length brevity is the soul of wit in an otherwise maximalist world of infinite doom scrolling. And there is nothing at all woe-is-me here. Quite the reverse but neither is it a Pollyanna statement, the intricate arrangements and cross rhythmical intersections do not allow triteness or self-indulgent tristesse although there are tender moments.
An archived live stream version, watch above, of trio track 'Roots' with Colour of Sound double bassist Alec Dankworth and drummer Gene Calderazzo in the Zoe Rahman trio broadcast online from Dalston's Vortex in east London last year. In the 7 and a half minute-plus album version there is a transcendental solo piano introduction that lasts until the 2 mins and 22 second mark going into the riff familiar at the beginning of the live trio version above
Tracks are: 'Dance of Time,' 'For Love,' 'Little Ones,' 'Sweet Jasmine,' 'Go With the Flow,' 'Roots,' (a piece commissioned by the London Jazz Festival) 'Unity' and 'Peace Garden'. Zoe's brother the fine Soothsayers and Julia Biel collaborator saxophonist Idris Rahman who has appeared on some of sis' albums over the years and co-produces is on tenor, alto and clarinet and also in the horn section are trumpeters Byron Wallen on 1 track, actually that one 'Sweet Jasmine' is easily the best on the whole album, and Alexandra Ridout plus, slider with Rosie, trombonist Rosie Turton. Beyond Ron Burgundy appreciatingly flautist Rowland Sutherland known for his work with Orphy Robinson on the vibist's Astral Weeks homage is also among the ensemble personnel with the bassist here UK bass icon Alex Dankworth superb recently with Hummus Crisis on Banks of the River. Expat US London scene former Partisans legend Gene Calderazzo last heard at the Louche a few months ago in good form with the Mobley loving Alex Harper and certainly ditto here completes the collective personnel. McCoy Tyner and Joanne Brackeen influenced as ever Colour of Sound is simply a pleasure from beginning to end.
MORE RELATED READING AND LISTENING:
Spirituality - 2022
Dreamland - 2016
Song: The Ballad Book - 2015
BEST UK AND IRELAND Jan-date in 2023:
The full list of best UK and Ireland in 2023 ranked so far, latest update
1 Colour of Sound Out on 7 July
5 The Now out on 23 June
7 Everything Is Going To Be OK
The Zoe Rahman octet play Turner Sims in Southampton on 16 June and tours. 'Dance of Time' is streaming
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