1. Flatiron Suite Part 1 – The Mountains
2. Flatiron Suite Part 2 – The Great Plains
3. Flatiron Suite Part 3 – East Slope Rivers
4. New York Walk
5. P.T.B.
6. Flat 5
7. Worcester Sorcery
8. Dream Of Peace
9. John G's Blues
Derek Nash – Alto, soprano and baritone saxes
Gary Plumley – Tenor sax, wood flute
Scott Garland – Alto and soprano saxes (tracks
1, 2, 3-8)
Adrian Revell - Tenor sax (tracks 1, 2, 3,
5, 6)
Paul Booth – Tenor sax (tracks 4, 7-9)
Bob McKay – Baritone sax (tracks 1, 3, 5-9),
alto flute (track 2)
Matt Wates – Alto sax (tracks 4, 9)
Nelson Rangell – Alto sax (tracks 2, 3)
Pete Adams – Keyboards (tracks 1-4, 7-9)
Simon Carter – Keyboards (tracks 5, 6)
Mike Bradley – Drums (tracks 1-3, 5, 6)
Mark Fletcher – Drums (tracks 4, 7-9)
Rony Barrak – Percussion (tracks 2, 3)
Derek
Nash is one of the unsung heroes of British
jazz. His brilliance on different kinds of
saxophones is matched by his abilities as
an arranger. Meanwhile, his Clowns Pocket
Studio in London has produced consistently
high-quality recordings of many British bands.
This
disc celebrates the 25th anniversary of the
founding of Sax Appeal, although the group
hasn’t been going continuously for that period.
In fact there have been various incarnations
of the band, and Derek has often been busy
with numerous other projects, including the
Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra,
the Soul Survivors and Nash’s own funk band
Protect the Beat.
The
first three tracks on this CD comprise The
Flatiron Suite, written when Derek attended
a conference at Boulder in Colorado, where
he stayed at a house with a view of the mountains
called the Flatirons. Part 1 evokes the heights
and distances of Colorado, with a heartfelt
soprano sax solo from Derek. Part 2 pictures
the wide open spaces and their American Indian
traditions, while Part 3 portrays the fast-flowing
rivers of the area, with powerful alto on
both tracks from Nelson Rangell.
The
remaining items are also original compositions
by Derek Nash, ranging from straight swing
to jazz-funk and the tender slowie Dream
of Peace. The album ends with the fiery
John G’s Blues, complete with a scorching
tenor-sax duel and some gratuitous Charlie
Parker quotations. The only tune not written
by Derek Nash is Flat 5, written by
Derek’s father Pat Nash, a long-time arranger
for the BBC’s highly-regarded Northern Dance
Orchestra. It’s an easy-going swing number,
with relaxed piano from Simon Carter.
The
recorded sound is impeccable and the variety
of music on the album illustrates Nash’s breadth
and versatility.
Tony Augarde
CD Reviews
for
details
Jazzizit JITCD 00541
