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Quiver - 'Cous Cous' Published: 13/06/2007 - 17:09:28 PM
“Cous Cous” is the debut recording by this Midlands based Latin Jazz sextet led by saxophonist and flautist Casey Greene. Quiver is in fact a multi national band with the Australian born Greene being joined by Venezuelan émigrés Edgar Macias (piano) and Wilmer Sifontes (percussion). Versatile guitarist Simon King, bassist Roger Inniss and drummer Carl Hemmingsley round out the regular group although there are a number of personnel changes on some of the album cuts. Greene first formed a Latin band with the name “Quiver” in his native Australia where they enjoyed considerable success on the Sydney music scene. Now living in the UK he is based in Shrewsbury and has assembled a new “British” Quiver drawing on leading musicians from Birmingham and the Midlands. The debut album by this edition of Quiver is a bright, attractive record featuring nine original compositions by Greene and one by Sifontes. It is good to see this type of band presenting their own material rather than relying on Latin standards and staples and Greene is to be praised for his adventurous approach. He is a sophisticated composer and there are plenty of good ideas in a well-balanced programme. The title track opens the proceedings and is a spirited introduction to the voices of the band. Greene adopts a big toned tenor sound and there are taut solos from King and Macias. The rhythm section is both propulsive and inventive and keep things moving in an engaging manner. Sifontes enjoys an energetic conga break in the closing stages of the tune. King sits out “Ghost Gum” a lush ballad in which Macias makes surprisingly effective use of a string synthesiser. Greene features here on a feathery sounding alto above Sifonte’s rich percussion undertow. Macias solos lyrically on piano and Inniss sounds soulful on electric bass. The whole thing is really rather lovely. Greene is also a fine flautist and the lively “Licorice” is the first of no less than four flute features. Solo flute opens this piece, complete with vocal overtones. Subsequently Greene’s flute dances above the breezy rhythms and there are stirring solos from Macias at the piano and Sifontes behind a battery of percussion. “Getting Closer” sees Danny Preston replace Inniss at the electric bass. His liquid tones open this piece which features the versatile Greene on probing soprano. There is a mysterious air to this piece due partly to King’s eerie guitar textures. It is probably Greene’s most ambitious composition thus far, making effective use of dynamics. “High Heels” is more straightforward, and urgent, featuring Greene’s gruff tenor sax, rollicking piano from Pete Beresford and an energetic solo from King. “Lets Go For Coffee” was recorded in Sydney in 1997 and is the sole track featuring the “mark one” Quiver. Greene appears on flute alongside the lively vibes attack of Daryl Pratt and the percussive piano of Bill Risby. “Julia’s Walk” brings us back to Simon King’s studio in Shropshire and features the Beresford/Preston line up. Greene’s serpentine soprano swirls above an insistent funk rhythm and King also solos effectively. Hemmingsley also enjoys a spell in the limelight with a well-constructed solo. “Bindi Eye” is another jaunty outing for Greene’s effervescent flute and also features King’s nimble work on nylon string acoustic and Macias on electric piano. Sifonte’s “The Latin Way To Africa” is a solo feature for the percussionist that sees him playing instruments from both cultures. Surprisingly tuneful, the melody is stated (I think) by the kalimba or African thumb piano. “Bougainvillea” closes the album, a lively Latin shuffle led by Greene’s flute. Macias provides a rippling piano solo and King also features strongly. “Cous Cous” is a very enjoyable album. The colourful rhythmic patterns laid down by the resourceful Sifontes and his rhythm section colleagues are fascinating in themselves but also provide the framework for some excellent jazz solos from Greene, King (isn’t that a brewery?) and Macias. The main plaudits though must go to Greene for the inventive compositions that allow for the construction of this framework. In an effective fusion of Latin rhythms and jazz soloing he avoids many of the clichés of the genre and has come up with something that sounds fresh and invigorating. King is very much his right hand man, acting as musician, studio owner/engineer and co producer. He makes a more than significant contribution. I’ve not seen the band live but on the evidence of this record they should be an exciting live attraction. An album launch event is planned for Sunday 22nd July 2007 at The Feathers Hotel, Ludlow at 8.oop.m. Tickets £7.00 Tel; 01584 875261 or 07957 392074. Casey Greene also appears in trio, quartet and jazz sextet formats. Simon King also has his own website www.simonkingmusic.co.uk And finally, no this Quiver has absolutely nothing to do with Tim Renwick, Bruce Thomas or the Sutherland Brothers. Rehab Records: REH005 Review by Ian Mann |
