Aaron Blakey Quartet
Harvey Move Record
Independent
*****
By Barry O’Sullivan
On his latest release pianist and composer Aaron Blakey leads a nimble quartet through its paces in six charming and sometimes upbeat gems he composed and arranged. The pianist and his team, Will Vinson (alto saxophone), Tom Botting (bass) and Tim Firth (drums), chart a trim yet steady course, avoiding well-worn paths and managing to wrest the utmost elegance and allure from each of these gems, thanks to their close-knit interplay and clear-sighted artistry. Vinson is an engaging soloist in his own right, as is Botting, and Blakey never fails to deliver more than a few clever and inspiring phrases, most notably on the album highlight, ‘Jacaranda Tree’.
The title track, ‘The Stars, They See’, holds its cards close to the chest and is another standout gem ballad. Opening with a tender solo piano, with the kind of melody that would sweep across a cinematic romantic moment, it emulsifies into Vinson’s superior skill and creativity on the alto saxophone, creating a musical expedition encompassing an irrepressible sense of creativity and sensitivity. Blakey’s album offers a fresh, intricate and thoroughly enjoyable listening experience that will appeal to seasoned listeners of contemporary jazz and newcomers alike.
For more information visit: https://aaronblakey.bandcamp.com/album/the-stars-they-see
-Barry O’Sullivan