Joel Haynes/Seamus Blake/Neil Swainson - The Return

Styles: Contemporary Jazz
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:24
Size: 113,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:19) 1. The Return
(5:28) 2. Peregrination
(6:35) 3. There And Back
(7:14) 4. Tomorrow Never Knows
(6:59) 5. Secret Garden
(7:53) 6. Allure
(6:13) 7. Angel
(4:40) 8. Payback

The Return! is certainly well-named, as it is drummer Joel Haynes' third album as leader of his own group but the first in fifteen years, following Cellar Music recordings The Time Is Now (2005) and Transitions (2008). During his long absence from a recording studio, however, Toronto-based Haynes has managed to stay busy, performing with many of the finest jazz artists in Canada and appearing at jazz festivals and other events in North and South America, the Caribbean and Europe.

On The Return!, Haynes leads an all-star quartet whose other members are tenor saxophonist Seamus Blake, pianist Tilden Webb and bassist Neil Swainson. No slackers in that lineup. Blake in particular warrants special applause, as he carries much of the melodic load and never once drops the ball. His teammates, meanwhile, give him ample room to run, forming an earnest and effective rhythmic phalanx.

The playlist consists of five original compositions by Haynes, a couple by Webb, John Lennon/Paul McCartney's "Tomorrow Never Knows" and one outlier, "Angel." There are two flag-wavers, Webb's "There and Back" and Haynes' "Payback," the last of which the group saves for its closing number. Webb swings hard on both tracks, while Blake delivers dazzling solos and Haynes and Swainson show they are master hands at any tempo.

"Tomorrow," not one of the Beatles' better-known themes, is a pleasant groover on which Webb takes another tasteful solo, leading to more of the same by Blake who clearly brought his "A-game" to the session. Swainson, one of Canada's premier sidemen, also solos admirably, while Haynes keeps his usual flawless time. Webb's placid "Secret Garden" is next, followed by Haynes' sunlit "Allure," the easygoing "Angel" (arranged by Webb) and the emphatic "Payback."

While it has been a long time between recordings for Haynes, The Return! is well worth the wait. An appetizing slice of contemporary post-bop jazz. By Jack Bowers
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-return-joel-haynes-cellar-records

Personnel: Joel Haynes - drums; Seamus Blake - tenor saxophone; Neil Swainson - bass; Tilden Webb - piano

The Return

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Neil Swainson - Fire in the West

Styles: Contemporary Jazz
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:47
Size: 137,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:46) 1. Fire in the West
(5:09) 2. Fool's Gold
(7:41) 3. Cascades
(7:26) 4. Standing Back
(5:31) 5. Fell Among Thieves
(5:06) 6. Kyushu
(7:53) 7. Late Afternoon
(6:04) 8. Near North
(4:51) 9. Gone Away
(4:18) 10. Silver Mine

It hardly seems possible, but it took thirty-five years for Canadian bassist extraordinaire Neil Swainson to lead a sparkling quintet in this new recording of Swainson original compositions entitled Fire In The West. His prior recording from 1987 was called 49th Parallel and received little attention at the time. However it was re-released as an LP in 2020 by Reel to Real Records and it generated some welcomed critical reviews. Accompanying Swainson in this outing was a blue-chip rhythm section of pianist Renee Rosnes and drummer Lewis Nash, with a first rate front line of trumpeter Brad Turner and tenor saxophonist Kelly Jefferson.

The session opens with the title track "Fire In The West" which was inspired by a flight over the forest fires which were raging in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia at the time. This up tempo tune begins with some Turner and Jefferson unison playing which states the theme, before each of the principals takes a solo turn, working out their ideas. All of this was nicely done, while Swainson's sturdy hand maintained the composition's rhythmic pulse. As will be evident throughout the album, Swainson was a fan of the front line pairings that predominated in the '50s, with the bands of Miles Davis, {Art Blakey}} and {Horace Silver}} so, accordingly, his compositional structures reflect this dynamic.

Some of the charts Swainson created have implied dedications to a variety of influences and influencers. "Fell Among Thieves," which could be classified as a lament, is carried throughout by Jefferson's compelling mournful tenor saxophone with Rosnes providing support in a svelte linear style. The title is meant to convey how good people often fall into difficult company. "Kyushu" is a musical reflection on time the composer spent on the Japanese island of the title. Laid out in a relaxing swinging tempo, the band delivers a straight ahead rhythmic feel which supports the improvisations offered by Turner, Jefferson and Rosnes. Finally, in an acknowledgement to Horace Silver, one of his musical influences, Swainson penned "Silver Mine." The bop-fashioned line charges out of the gate in a full-fisted attack. The solos taken by Turner and Jefferson are down the center and Rosnes delivers a single note excursion which is filled with Silver nuggets. In summation, a musical excursion well worth the wait.By Pierre Giroux https://www.allaboutjazz.com/fire-in-the-west-neil-swainson-neil-swainson-cellar-records

Personnel: Neil Swainson: bass, acoustic; Renee Rosnes: piano; Lewis Nash: drums; Brad Turner: trumpet; Kelly Jefferson: saxophone, tenor.

Fire in the West

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