This is the debut album from the trio of Gilad Atzmon (alto saxophone), Ross Stanley (Hammond Organ), and Joel Barford (drums). I must confess to being somewhat disappointed when I realised there was only one Hammond and that the sax was often the lead instrument as I still fondly remember the antics and albums by Death Organ, and am ever hopeful that someone will grab the Ad Perpetuam Memoriam catalogue and reissue them, but until then I still love the sound of the Hammond and what it produces.
Ross has an incredibly busy left hand, very much in the style of Vincent Crane, in that he is providing the bass as well as often taking the lead (or major support) with his right, and he is the person holding everything together while Joel is all over the place on the kit, and Gilad often takes the lead in his emotional style which has found him playing with bands like The Blockheads as well as jazz in his own band Orient House Ensemble, has recorded with by Pink Floyd and Robert Wyatt and normally plays more than one hundred gigs a year in one form or another.
This is quite a reflective album, although it is also very busy in many ways, but melody is always at its heart, and one can relax inside even though there is a great deal going on. Gilad’s first influence was Charlie Parker, and one can still hear that in his approach to bop. The production is divine, with clear separation and wonderful clarity so one can fully understand what is going on between the three, with everyone providing wonderful nuances and touches which greatly enrich the experience. This is definitely an album which jazz lovers need to discover.
Rating: 8/10
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