Record Reviews

DAVE SAUL ~ REVERENCE ASC 034 ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1999 Released: 1999 This is the only album by British Jazz pianist / composer Dave SaulFind albums by this artist, who died in 2013. The album was recorded in a quintet setting with trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and drummer Stuart LaurenceFind albums by this artist (Chris’ son). The album presents eight original compositions, all by the leader. Released over twenty-three years ago, this album it is not very easy to find. This is one of Wheeler’s recordings, which remains almost completely obscure and does not appear in most of his discographies. I was very lucky to get it from Kenny’s private collection. The music is absolutely marvelous from start to finish, a little British Jazz gem, which deserves to be heard by all British Jazz enthusiasts. Saul was always around playing often with the best musicians, but never achieved enough recognition or had opportunity to record, except for this album. His compositions are beautifully melodic and offer a superb vehicle for this quintet to fly sky-high. Wheeler and Sulzmann offer superb soloing and the rhythm section is always there right on the money. Saul, always a bit bashful and introvert, solos sparingly but his piano playing is wonderfully intertwined within the music at all times. The music has that British Jazz “twang”, that I love so much, and which is immediately recognizable. Overall, this is an excellent British Jazz album, performed by first class musicians, which is absolutely worth digging for, not only for the great contributions by Kenny Wheeler, but no less importantly for the splendid music and superb performances by the entire team. It is an essential fragment in every serious British Jazz collection.

Updated: 31/03/2023Posted: 31/03/2023

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