Record Reviews

KATE WESTBROOK / MIKE WESTBROOK ~ THE SERPENT HIT WESTBROOK 001 (Barcode: 5060195515159) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 This is an album by the iconic British Jazz couple, vocalist / lyricist Kate WestbrookFind albums by this artist and pianist / composer / bandleader Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist. Kate is accompanied by a saxophone quartet: Andy TweedFind albums by this artist, Chris BiscoeFind albums by this artist, Karen StreetFind albums by this artist and Chris CaldwellFind albums by this artist and a drummer Simon PearsonFind albums by this artist. Mike wrote all the music, but surprisingly he does not take part in the performance. The album presents six original compositions, five of which feature lyrics by Kate and one is an instrumental. The album was beautifully recorded by the lamented Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist in his recording studio. The album´s artwork features a painting by Kate, which reveals another facet of her artistic activity. The music, which is based on a piece originally commissioned by the British Delta Saxophone QuartetFind albums by this artist (Of which Chris Caldwell is a member), is an amazing amalgam of Jazz and contemporary Classical Music with a pinch of Rock, beautifully melodic and at times even romantic. Kate´s lyrics, which are mostly morbid and bitter, create a strange contrast to the musical background, with the overall effect being extremely potent. The individual and collective performances by the members of the saxophone quartet are all superb, handling the difficult and multilayered compositions with ease and elegance and in perfect harmony. The drums, used sparingly, emphasize some rhythmic characteristics of the complex music and ornament the overall ambience during the down tempo parts. Kate´s lyrics deal with the Biblical notion of "original sin", which haunts humanity continuously over time and stands behind the major problems we face, both as individuals and societies, ultimately bound for destruction. Some of these ideas appear in her works consistently over the years. Overall this album is a true piece of Art of the highest level. The music, the lyrics and the artwork combined are a testimony of haute culture, which characterizes the legacy of the Westbrooks, which spans over several decades. This album completely slipped under my radar at the time it was released and I thank Mike Westbrook for graciously sending me a copy of this gem. If anybody else misses it in their Westbrook collection, the time to seal the gap is now!

Updated: 03/08/2018Posted: 03/08/2018

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