Jazz breaking news: Jazz Goes to Press at The Spice of Life
Monday, April 15, 2013
Like a rare planetary alignment equally rare is finding two of the UK's finely quilled jazz critics nolo contendere at the Spice Of Life, Soho and possibly the perfect opportunity for those stained by the ink of Jack Massarik (Evening Standard) and Mike Hobart (Financial Times) to reap revenge.
First in the dock was the Massarik's guitar-led Quartet (pictured left), with Peter Whittaker (organ), Matt Skelton (drums) and Vasilis Xenopoulos (sax). Is the man playing it safe you ask by sticking to such trusted bebop standards as ‘I Remember April’, ‘But Not For Me’ and ‘Embraceable You’. The relaxed yet joyful enthusiasm suggests it’s more a case of him playing what he loves.
The tonal pallet and articulation particularly between Massarik and Whittaker is redolent of a Jimmy Smith/Grant Green combo but an excursion into the Dylan song book with a gospel tinged rendition of ‘Watching The River Flow’ leads you to ponder — is Jack seeking forgiveness? Well he certainly appeared to have the Lord on his side as there were no attempts to snatch him from the stage and applause was not grudgeful but genuine.
The Urban Jazz Collective leveraged Massarik's ice breaking set, kicking off the second half with a soulful arrangement of the eponymous ‘Thelonious’. Tenorist Hobart (pictured left) displays a liberal generosity not equated with the pink broadsheet he contributes to by allowing space for his musicians to also show their worth. Chris Lee (trumpet), Raffy Bushman (keyboards), Sven Atterton (bass), but it’s drummer Boukie KaBoukie that kept things bubbling. Mike displays some capitalist traits, taking the opportunity to deliver fiery solos which at times seemed that he could burn out, but hey, no chance for someone who has mastered circular breathing.
Original compositions such as ‘Fathead’, ‘The Vistas’, ‘Friday Night Out’ and ‘Third Fish’ shows that his ink also reaches the stave, but should they give up their day job? Well no flour bombs or tomatoes were hurled their way, so hats off to these two carpers for their ability to practice what they preach, convincingly.
– (review and pictures) Roger Thomas