Record Reviews

KIT DOWNES ~ GOLDEN BASHO 31 (Barcode: 832929003127) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2009 Released: 2009 This is the debut album as a leader by British Jazz pianist / composer Kit DownesFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic Jazz piano trio setting with bassist Calum GourlayFind albums by this artist and drummer James MaddrenFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, seven of which are original compositions by Downes and one is by Gourlay. The album shows the wonderful potential and talent, which brought him rapidly to the center of attention first on the local Jazz scene and soon after on the International scene, following him joining the ECMFind albums on this label roster with the release of his debut album for the label in 2018, called “ObsidianFind albums with this title”. The music, although based on strictly composed themes, tends at times towards more Free vistas and offers complex and highly original approach to composition, proving he is a formidable weaver of melodic, often highly sentimental themes, which are truly mesmerizing. There are plenty of examples of such compositions herein, and they are all as surprising as always, which makes listening to this debut album a thrill, which continues to this very day. There is no doubt that Downes is one of the most important representatives of the third generation of the British Jazz musicians, and with his unique talent he has a lot of creative work ahead of him and his early recording period is definitely worth being discovered, if one missed it at the time, Overall, this is an important release in the discography of Downes, despite the fact it is his debut, which by now is quite impressive and extensive. The splendid rhythm section adds quite a spark to the music, which sounds as fresh and unexpectedly quirky as it did at the time of its release.

Updated: 02/04/2025Posted: 02/04/2025

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KIT DOWNES ~ LIGHT FROM OLD STARS BASHO 42 (Barcode: 832929004223) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 This is the 3rd album as a leader by British Jazz keyboardist / composer Kit DownesFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quintet setting with saxophonist James AllsoppFind albums by this artist, cellist Lucy RailtonFind albums by this artist, bassist Calum GourlayFind albums by this artist and drummer James MaddrenFind albums by this artist, the same rhythm section that played on his previous album “Quiet TigerFind albums with this title”, and which also featured Allsopp and a cellist on most of its tracks. The album presents nine tracks, all original compositions by Downes. The album shows the rapid progression Downes made during his early period, which brought him to the center of attention first on the local Jazz scene and soon after on the International scene, following him joining the ECMFind albums on this label roster with the release of his debut album for the label in 2018, called “ObsidianFind albums with this title”. Downes plays both piano and organ and already on this early album he plays organ on three tracks. The music, although based on strictly composed themes, tends at times towards Free Jazz and Improvised Music, which is not really Downes’ true forte, as he is a formidable weaver of melodic, often highly sentimental themes, which are truly mesmerizing. There are plenty of examples of such compositions herein, and they are all as surprising as always, which makes listening to this album a thrill. There is no doubt that Downes is one of the most important representatives of the third generation of the British Jazz musicians, and with his unique talent he has a lot of creative work ahead of him and his early recording period is definitely worth being discovered, if one missed it at the time, Overall, this is an important release in the discography of Downes, which by now is quite impressive and extensive. The splendid team add quite a spark to the music, which sounds as fresh and unexpectedly quirky as it did at the time of its release.

Updated: 21/03/2025Posted: 21/03/2025

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KIT DOWNES TRIO ~ QUIET TIGER BASHO 34 (Barcode: 832929003424) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2011 This is the 2nd album by British Jazz pianist / composer Kit DownesFind albums by this artist, recorded with his trio, which also includes bassist Calum GourlayFind albums by this artist and drummer James MaddrenFind albums by this artist. Saxophonist James AllsoppFind albums by this artist and cellist Adrien DennefeldFind albums by this artist guest on all but three of the tracks, but their contributions are relatively minimal. The album present eleven tracks, all of which are original compositions by the leader. Since his appearance on the British Jazz scene just a decade and a half ago, Downes managed to create quite a stir and draw a lot of attention, as well as managed to build up a sizeable recording legacy, making him probably the most noticeable “new arrival”. I have had the pleasure of listening to him play on several occasions and I must admit he does stand out from the crowd. His compositions are unusual, often quirky and unpredictable, both rhythmically and harmonically, and his broad range of musical activities is altogether very impressive. This album is quite an early recording by Downes, but already here all those odd, surprising elements are vividly present, which makes the music truly fascinating. The definition of Jazz as “the Art of the unexpected” fits to Downes’ music perhaps more than to most other contemporary Jazz musicians around. I have often thought that Downes reminds me of Thelonious MonkFind albums by this artist, and his quirkiness, which made him stand out among most Bebop players at the time. Some of the tracks on this album, are a living proof of that “Monk theory”, taken some seventy years forward. Listeners, who know their Monk will understand what I am saying. In short, this is seemingly a classic Jazz piano trio album, but it is nothing like a classic Jazz piano trio album that most people ever heard, I guarantee you! Overall, this is a brilliant piece of contemporary Jazz, completely unique and fascinating, which should be heard by every Jazz lover on this planet, although many might probably not like it too much, at least at first. Downes is a musician worth keeping an eye (ear) on, for example please note his album with the British Diva Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist “Outpost Of DreamsFind albums with this title”. Enough said!

Updated: 04/02/2025Posted: 04/02/2025

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