Julian Argüelles – soprano and tenor
saxophones and celeste; Kit Downes – piano; Sam Lasserson – double bass; James
Maddren – drums
(Review by Hugh
C.)
British saxophonist
Julian Argüelles is widely known as a member of the seminal big band Loose
Tubes as well as for his involvement with the Frankfurt Radio Big Band. He has also previously recorded with well-established
musicians on the jazz scene such as Mike Walker, Dave Holland, Martin France
and the late John Taylor.
In this new
release he shows his respect for an eclectic range of younger jazz musicians in
collaboration with Downes, Lasserson and Maddren. Argüelles has previously worked with Downes
and Maddren and joined by the bassist, Lasserson, the quartet has toured together
over the last three years.
Tetra, originally
conceived as a continuous suite, in the live setting is still expressed that
way to some degree. Indeed, on this recording
the first six tracks effectively segue directly one into another.
There are eight
tracks on the album and the whole comes in at just under one hour. We are greeted on Hugger Mugger (01:44)
with a pensive introduction by bass, piano and celeste. The tempo suddenly quickens with a catchy
groove set by Lasserson's bass soon joined by Maddren on drums – now we are
talking! Yada Yada features
Argüelles on tenor with the rhythm section in the engine room. The listener is out of breath and exhausted
by the end – which is only the beginning of Hurley Burley (no time to
rest!). This third track commences with
an extended drum solo by Maddren before he is joined by his compadres in a
jaunty up tempo piece with complex rhythmic interplay between Argüelles'
soprano and the other members of the quartet.
Hocus Pocus starts immediately as the final chord of the previous
track fades away. Lilting solo soprano
saxophone introduces this mischievous little number – watch out, you never know
what might happen!
At 10:35 Nitty
Gritty is the longest track on the album.
This has a distinctly Spanish feel,
perhaps reflecting Argüelles ancestry as a “descendent of one who came
from Arguello”. Asturias continues
the Iberian theme and has its origins in Argüelles' transcriptions of solo
vocal folk music from north-west Spain.
It starts with another drum solo, joined after almost two minutes by
Lasserson on bass, before the full ensemble bring in the melody. After a short track break Fugue features
the solo piano of Kit Downes joined (after a while) sequentially by bass, tenor
and drums in fugal succession.
Iron Pyrite, the final
track, again follows on directly without a break. Don't be fooled by this title – this track
glistens (as does the rest of the album) like the real thing. These four are consummate musicians. Tetra is a burst of golden sunshine
and will warm the listener during the shortening autumn days. The guys will be brilliant in a live
performance, and fortunately for you, dear reader, the UK Tetra tour commences
at Sage Gateshead on October 26 (tickets still available).
Tetra is released on Friday October 16 (Whirlwind WR4678)
Tetra
promotional video can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/ZP02Z7FiG2s
Hugh.
Thanks for the review. Julian
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