An excellent release that will appeal to anyone that enjoys good honest, swinging world class jazz.
Nervy Nigel Records NERVYCD006
(Available from Bandcamp)
Nigel Price (guitar); Ross Stanley (Hammond organ); Joel Barford (drums)
Recorded July 7 & 8 2025
“It’s On!” was the headline on Nigel’s social media post as the tour was rescued by funding from Liveline in association with Music Venue Trust and is also the title track of this excellent new recording from the Nigel Price Organ Trio. The guitarist also feels that this is perhaps the best album that the Trio have recorded, and upon listening I see no reason to disagree (although I do have a soft spot for the Wes Imagined album now once again available as a double vinyl).
The Trio have now reached such a degree of empathy, understanding and trust that surely places them as one of the finest Organ Trios in the world. Recorded over two days in July this year, the impression is that the group treated the session in much the same as they would a gig. That is, they went in and set up and played some beautifully swinging tunes (with a little funk thrown in for good measure) as if they were in front of a live audience. Indeed, such is the relaxed and spontaneous nature of the music one almost feels the urge to applaud at the end of each track.
Of the nine tracks, we are treated to six original compositions from the guitarist that also reaffirms Price as a superb small group composer. ‘Backatcha’ is a case in question with a up tempo swinger that Price attributes to George Benson’s ‘Mynah Bird Blues’ in feel and has a solo from Ross Stanley that is a real burner. ‘Chonky’ (I love this title!) has a wonderfully funky theme and groove that alternated effortlessly between funk and swing, and the continuing the funky vibe is ‘Splash The Cash’ that has one of those ridiculously infectious melodies that one heard you just can’t get out of your mind.
Showing just how versatile and mobile they are as a unit the Trio bring down the energy level on the lovely ‘’76’ inspired by Price’s memories of the glorious summer of sunshine of 1976 in which Nigel’s plays a beautifully lyrical solo; and the blues in 5/4, ‘Straight Talk’ that spells out for all us non musicians just how this difficult time signature is mastered.
This really is timeless and masterful album from Nigel Price Organ Trio. All three musicians are virtuoso’s whose talents are there to serve the music first and foremost. Price and Ross Stanley move effortlessly from accompanist to soloist, and drummer Joel Barford is all over the music with a sense of swing, dynamics and musicality that knows instinctively when to leave space or fill it.
Of the three non-originals of the set, my choice pick is Joe Zawinul’s ‘Midnight Mood’ which is given a brisk and swinging workout with a seemingly effortless solo from the leader but would be happy to listen to any of them all day long. An excellent release that will appeal to anyone that enjoys good honest, swinging world class jazz.
