An auspicious start to what looks to be an intriguing series of recordings that will have many of us of a certain age scurrying back to the original recordings as well as embracing the new.
My Only Desire Records MOD006
(Available on limited edition 7” vinyl + all digital platforms)
Kevin Figes (soprano & alto saxophone); Pete Judge (trumpet); Raphael Clarkson (trombone); Jim Blomfield (piano); Riaan Vosloo (bass); Tony Orrell (drums, percussion)
In recent time we have witnessed a trend for a jazz band or artist to promote a forthcoming album by ‘dropping’ singles. These individual tracks are released digitally over a period of time leading up to the official release of the album, however My Only Desire Records is taking the idea of singles one stage further.
Stepping back into the vinyl era which is once again becoming popular with the market for LPs, My Only Desire Records is embarking on an ambitious project issuing 45rpm singles not to promote a full length album but to introduce British jazz compositions from the 60s/70s to a new audience.
Under the title of Brit Jazz 45s, label boss Jon Griffiths’ concept is a 7” vinyl series inviting contemporary jazz artists to record two pieces by British jazz composers.
To be released on digital platforms alongside a limited edition run of 7” singles, Kevin Figes and his group You Are Here present the first of these intriguing releases with newly recorded takes on compositions by Elton Dean and Keith Tippett.
With his new group assembled for the recording, Kevin Figes has picked a track by fellow saxophonist, the late great Elton Dean for side A. ‘Seven For Lee’ was recorded by Dean for his album Happy Daze with the group Ninesence.
Figes wisely retains much of the flavour of the original with the familiar opening bass intro and the punchy playing from the horns. Not as wild and edgy as Ninesence, You Are Here none the less deliver the music with a passion that is tangible.
Driven along by bassist Riaan Vosloo and veteran drummer Tony Orrell, the music has a restless energy that manifests itself in the ensemble passages for the horns.
Figes plays soprano saxophone throughout and his sound is not as strident as Dean’s saxello, although Raphael Clarkson aims to stir things up in a delightfully robust and rumbustious trombone solo.
Side B is given over to a composition by Keith Tippett, ‘Green and Orange Night Park’ that appeared on the pianist’s second album Dedicated to You, But You Weren’t Listening.
Tippett’s arrangement had a pronounced rocky feel from bass, drums and the underlying horn riffs and once again Figes and You Are Here knock off some of the rougher edges without compromising the integrity of the original, and this is emphasised by the saxophonist’s choice to feature his alto playing in a lovely solo that rides over the horn section with both in perfect harmony.
It appears that it is the brass players that like to cause a little tension and towards the close there is some excellent interplay from Pete Judge and Clarkson.
An auspicious start to what looks to be an intriguing series of recordings that will have many of us of a certain age scurrying back to the original recordings as well as embracing the new.
And for those that remember the original albums, I’m sure you will have spotted that the band have taken their name from Tippett’s debut album, You Are Here… I Am There released on Polydor Records in 1970.
