You only have to listen to the first few seconds of this album to realize that Julian Jackson is a true master of the harmonica and that he has a tone to rival that of his heroes, Larry Aldler and 'Toots' Thielemans. The superabundance of his ideas and his natural jazz feeling recalling the great 'Toots' in particular.
Jackson has put together a nicely balanced programme for his debut solo jazz album. His harmonica sings beautifuly on the ballads Alfie, I Can't Get Started and When I Fall in Love, the latter an impressive a cappella version of Victor Young's classic tune. It effervesces on the swingers, I Hear a Rhapsody and Autumn Leaves. Sonny Rollins' Airegin is an exhilarating work-out for the quartet and features a telling solo from the talented Tim Lapthorn on piano.
Jackson takes us on a wonderful musical journey on Jaco Pastorius' searching jazz waltz Three Views of a Secret with Lapthorn at his bluesy best and Patrick Levett displaying some impressive jazz-rock chops on drums.
| | Jackson's lilting theme Etude No 1 recalls the work of bossa nova genius Antonio Carlos Jobim and Michel LeGrand's haunting You Must Believe in Spring is similarly infused with hypnotically swaying latin rhythms, after its poignant rubato beginning.
The album ends with Bill Evans' exquisite melody Laurie, the last few bars evanescing into the ether with a series of harmonically ambiguous suspended chords, leaving the listener in a state of supreme calm.
Finally, taking time off from his bass guitar duties with award-winning groups Acoustic Ladyland and Polar Bear, Tom Herbert is rock-solid on acoustic bass, providing the necessary foundation for Jackson and co. to take flight.
Geoff Eales.
Jazzorg Note: You can hear samples of Alfie, I Can't Get Started , Etude No. 1 and Airegin, which play on Windows Media Player, at [this link]. |
'I Can't Get Started' 