The latest CDs reviewed
MARK FELDMAN
What Exit ECM *****
In his leader debut on ECM, violinist/ composer Feldman, John Taylor (piano), Anders Jormin (bass) and Tom Rainey (drums), bring together the disciplines of contemporary classical music with the improvisations and interactions of jazz. Feldman's compositions offer sufficient reference points to provide firm structures for both soloists and group dialogues, but it's the quartet's response, individually and collectively, that makes them work as performances. The richly varied results, notwithstanding the superb soloing of Feldman, Taylor, Jormin and Rainey, impress above all as group music. Particularly memorable in reconciling form and the freedom of extemporisation are the lengthy, many-hued Arcade, the movingly bereft lament Everafter, the capricious, ideas-packed Ink Pin and the sense of completeness of Elegy and Cadence, with their absence of superfluous gesture. www.musicconnection.org.uk Ray Comiskey
AARON IRWIN
Into The Light Fresh Sound ***
Irwin is a fluent young altoist with a lovely tone and an ability to build coherent, unflamboyant solos. Here, with other good players - Rich Perry (tenor), Ryan Scott (guitar), Matt Clohesy (bass) and Greg Ritchie (drums) - he's come up with an album of notable charm and intimacy. Scott and Ritchie are fans of Bill Frisell and Paul Motian, respectively, and with tracks such as All the Things You Are and The Point done rubato, the stylistic influences are all too clear. But Irwin and Perry are a fine pair, mutually attuned, something underlined in their interweaving and lead-exchanging on So in Love. The experienced Perry is the stronger, more authoritative soloist, yet Irwin, in his modest, unpushy way, shows a considerable melodic gift It's this, ultimately, that may help him to proclaim his individuality. www.freshsoundrecords.com Ray Comiskey
JOE GILMAN
View So Tender: Wonder Revisited Vol 1 Capri ***
Pianist Gilman succinctly sums up the attractions, opportunities and challenges (sometimes they're the same thing) of Stevie Wonder's music as "beautiful melodies, adaptable harmony, flexible forms". In this buoyantly swinging trio tribute he makes the most of them, particularly the latte two. The approach is considered, the arrangements thoughtful and enhancing, and the material drawn thoroughly into the jazz fold by a crisply together group completed by Joe Sanders (bass) and Justin Brown (drums). Much of the material is lesser known work, but even the familiar Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing is refreshed by the trio's inventive way with it. Standouts on a finely crafted album include Smile Please, Sir Duke and Send One Your Love. www.caprirecords.com Ray Comiskey
