From Chris O’Dea and O’Dear It’s O’Dea
Released on Bandcamp
Recording four extraordinary and energetic musicians live in a jazz club could have channelled raucous New Orleans jazz. But Chris O’Dea has created tunes with an essential gentleness, a contemplative stroll rather than a street march. Clever syncopation is matched with superb instrumental harmonisation.
Relaxing into this new album, O’Dear it’s O’Dea, reveals a mediative and soothing resonance between the saxophone of Chris O’Dea, the trombone of James Greening, the sousaphone of Sam Golding and the drumming of Abby Constable. Delightful, uncluttered layering.
From the opening cheeky Concusión, followed by Where’s my Hat, and Lambusa, these first three tracks set an inviting, almost Latin mood. Expresso Martinne’s slightly Cuban feel makes way for the restrained rolling plains and cowboy territory of Even Outlaws get Anxious. Lucien creates a lyrical melodious and sophisticated overlay. The album finishes with O’Dea owning ADHD Saxophone with his solo saxophone. This album is full of skilful overlaying of interlocking instrumentation. A joy!
-Keith Pettigrew