1. Perrin
2. Joseph Joseph
3. I've Done My Bit
4. Montagne Sainte-Geneviève
5. Lady Madonna
6. Ninick
7. The Man From Toledo
8. I'll See You In My Dreams
9. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
10. Donna Lee
11. There'll Never Be Another You
12. Django's Tiger
Remi Harris - Guitar
Ben Salmon - Guitar
Mike Green - Double bass (tracks 2-4, 6-12)
Tom Moore - Double bass (tracks 1, 5)
Alan Barnes - Soprano sax, clarinet (track 2), baritone sax (track 7), alto sax (track 11)
Ben Cummings - Trumpet (tracks 1, 10)
Remi Harris is a 26 years old, gifted practitioner of so-called 'Gypsy Jazz', the beginnings of which are usually attributed to the immortal Django
Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France recordings from about 1934 onwards which, of course, also included Stephane Grappelli, the jazz violinist. Remi draws
inspiration from a wide range of musicians and not exclusively from guitar players. His choice of music, too, is subject to a variety of influences
including swing and the Great American Songbook, added to which are his own compositions, three of which can be found on this disc. While belonging to the
'Gypsy Jazz' tradition, he sees himself as representing a contemporary take on it.
So to this CD. Perrin is a jaunty track from the pen of Harris with the two guitars working harmoniously together, Ben Cummings joining in the fun
on trumpet. Joseph Joseph has a strong melody and fairly rips along. There's a nimble-fingered performance from Harris (at one point, there's a
neatly worked quote from My Heart Belongs To Daddy) and Alan Barnes plays with typical panache. I've Done My Bit, a fine composition from
Remi, has impressive improvisation on the theme by him. Montagne Saint-Geneviève, a tune written by Django Reinhardt, is a pleasurable listening
experience , played in the spirit of the master, both guitars featuring. Lady Madonna offers fluent variations by Harris on the Beatles song.Ninick, the track after which the album is named, and written by the young guitarist, is smoothly played. George Benson's The Man From Toledo, from the jazz-funk stable, manages to capture the essence of Benson in this up-tempo version. The lead guitar is
well-supported by the lively Alan Barnes on baritone sax and Mike Green on bass who gets the rare chance of a solo. I'll See You In My Dreams
simply flows. Over The Rainbow is played straight and then is imaginatively improvised upon. Donna Lee, one from the bebop repertoire, is
taken at speed and has Ben Cummings on trumpet once more. The next track I really liked – There'll Never Be Another You (sic) – beautifully played
by Harris and by the cool Alan Barnes on alto. Django's Tiger, the final track, is again a credit to those concerned. Ben Salmon deserves
particular mention for able assistance throughout.
The disc as a whole will have special appeal to those who appreciate sprightly jazz, with roots very much in an earlier era but with a contemporary
resonance. If I have one reservation, it is to do with the fact that the rhythm line-up of bass and second guitar, authentic though it may be, can have the
effect at times of making the backing to the main soloists a tad pedestrian.
James Poore
CD Reviews
Big Bear Records BEAR CD 5
