This quartet was put together by vibraphonist Eldad Tarmu along with alto saxophonist Adam Hutcheson, bassist Sam Bevan, and drummer Cengiz Baysal, and in his tenth album as band leader or co-leader Tarmu shows why he is one of the most highly regarded players in his field. I often used to see Poli Palmer of Family play at some low-key gigs in London 30+ years ago, and the vibraphone is an instrument which has always fascinated me, but it is not often deployed in modern music, possibly due to the skill needed to really get the most from it, something which is not an issue here.

What is interesting to me is the way that each of the musicians is always pushing forward, there is no room to relax for anyone to take a back seat. In many ways this album is all about Baysal as without him it would just fall to pieces as Bevan can be found playing one melody, Hutcheson another, and Tarmu yet another, or the three could all be playing the same, or providing support. Just because it is Tarmu’s name on the CD it does not mean he will always be the frontman, and if one was just to listen to the album one could imagine this is a saxophonist’s release given how often he allows Hutcheson to take the lead. Tarmu’s touch is delicate, and the use of reverb allows him to provide wonderful backdrops when the need requires, although he is more than happy to be driving forward of that is what is required as well. The vibraphone provides some lightness and levity within, giving quite a different sound to many, resulting in a jazz album which in some ways is quite familiar and in others very different indeed. Certainly worthy of investigation.

Rating: 7/10

Links:
https://www.eldadtarmu.com/
https://www.queenofbohemiaproductions.com