Record Reviews

TOM CAWLEY / KIT DOWNES ~ HOMELY IMPURE 005 (Barcode: 5060106349903) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2008 Released: 2009 This is the debut album by British Jazz piano duo comprising of pianists / composers Tom CawleyFind albums by this artist and Kit DownesFind albums by this artist. Drummer Joshua BlackmoreFind albums by this artist plays on a couple of tracks. The album presents eight tracks, all original compositions, four each by Cawley and Downes. This is also the debut album by Downes, as co-leader and follows his recording debut with the trio TroykaFind albums by this artist, where Blackmore also participates as the trio member. The music is a wonderful example of delicate amalgam of composed music and improvised interplays, which both the pianists perform superbly, exchanging chords and melody fragments with charm and elegance, in a typical humorous British way. By the time this album was recorded, Cawley was already an established artist with several albums to his credit, while Downes was just stating his career and getting recognized. This album shows the wonderful potential and talent, which brought Downes 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. 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 Downes’ discography, despite the fact it is one of his earliest recordings. The duo work is nothing short of brilliant and the music is quirky and interesting, displaying all the characteristics of the “Art of the Duo”, which deserves an honorable place in any serious British Jazz discography.

Updated: 12/04/2025Posted: 12/04/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend